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The WHO recommended
safe listening times
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The
unsafe use of personal audio devices and high sound volumes at events are
putting over a billion teens and young adults at risk of permanent hearing
loss, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Friday.
Data
analyzed by the UN agency indicates that almost half the population of
developed countries between the ages of 12 and 35 are exposed to unsafe levels
of noise from personal audio devices, while 40 percent risk hearing damage at
entertainment venues.
“More and more young people are
placing themselves at risk of hearing loss,” warned Dr. Etienne Krug, director at the
World Health Organization's Department for Management of Noncommunicable
Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention.
Potential
hearing loss has been linked to both sound volume and the duration and
frequency of exposure. While a noise level of 85 dB can be safe for up to eight
hours a day, an audio device at maximum volume registers at 105 dB, and is safe
for just four minutes. A loud concert at 120 dB stops being safe after 28
seconds, while sirens or vuvuzelas – South African trumpets that became
notorious during the 2010 FIFA World Cup – threaten hearing loss after just
nine seconds.
“Once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back,”
warned Krug.
Individuals,
venues, and governments have all been urged to take steps towards preventing
hearing loss.
The WHO has urged governments to organize public information campaigns, and develop and enforce “strict legislation on recreational noise.” Managers of entertainment venues such as bars, clubs, and concert halls are advised to use sound limiters, issue earplugs, and set aside “chill-out rooms” for patrons. Individuals can prevent hearing loss by turning down the volume on their audio devices, and by using “carefully fitted, and if possible, noise cancelling” earphones.
The WHO has urged governments to organize public information campaigns, and develop and enforce “strict legislation on recreational noise.” Managers of entertainment venues such as bars, clubs, and concert halls are advised to use sound limiters, issue earplugs, and set aside “chill-out rooms” for patrons. Individuals can prevent hearing loss by turning down the volume on their audio devices, and by using “carefully fitted, and if possible, noise cancelling” earphones.
The WHO estimates that 360
million people around the world suffer from disabling hearing loss, citing
exposure to excessive noise as one of the leading causes after injury and
infectious disease. The report comes on the eve of International Ear Care Day,
marked annually on March 3.
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