Research suggests that many children are losing their hearing and will have the hearing capacity of a 60 year old by the age of 30. This wave of hearing loss is not down to diseases or a virus but the rising exposure to high volumes of noise.

Children regularly listen to their music or play video games with the volume turned to the maximum level, this damages the ears, often beyond repair. Children may also be exposed to volumes only suitable for more mature ears such as sporting or music events which they are taken by their parents. Professor of preventive medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Dr Martin, said, “If a sound reaches 85 decibels and over an extended period, it can permanently damage hearing. The safe level for an iPod is 80 per cent on the volume slider. If you listen to music at that level, you can safely listen for 90 minutes a day.”

The safe volume of music in earphones can be safely measure with a simple test, if you stand at arms reach from someone and you cannot hear their voice over the music, it is too loud. Sound levels can physically damage your ears but also can lead to an affliction called Tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition which causes a permanent ringing noise in the ear and can prevent many difficulties to its sufferers. It can be treated but in most cases cannot be cured and victims are forced to suffer an unbearable ringing noise in their ear for the rest of their life.

A normal conversation would generate 60 decibels, a loud concert or busy motorway could create 120dB and a jet engine or pneumatic drill can generate upwards of 150dB. Noises this loud are painful and exposure to noises above 150dB will cause immediate permanent damage. Even at a relatively low level, constant noise can cause high blood pressure, stress, anxiety and insomnia.

In the western world, 12% of children under the age of 19 have hearing loss to some extent that is entirely attributed to exposure to loud noise. There are laws against noise levels in a workplace but nothing to control individuals exposing themselves to loud music.

Many people have suffered hearing damage as a result of being exposed to high volumes against their will. Most of these people are entitled to hearing loss compensation or a claim of some sort.

Tagged with: Claim • cochlea • compensation • deaf • Deafness • Decibels • Hearing Loss • sign language • Tinnitus

Filed under: Hearing Loss

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