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According to the World Health Organization, at least 700 million people worldwide will need access to ear and hearing care by 2050 unless action is taken
Reuters file photo
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds and excessive use of headphones – especially when playing video games – could lead to noise-induced hearing loss in children, an expert from the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) has warned.
“Headphones have become an essential part of our daily lives. Since the start of Covid-19, people have been using headphones to work from home, attend meetings, students use them while studying or listening to music. Video games have become more like It’s a back-and-forth communication. By playing online games, they can connect with people across the globe. Using a headset with a microphone has become indispensable,” Dr Snithin Sasheendran, Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS) audiology team leader, told us Khaleej era.
Loud sounds and simulations were introduced to enhance the gaming experience and make it more appealing to youngsters – but prolonged exposure to such noise through the use of headphones can negatively affect hearing.
“Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent hearing damage due to prolonged exposure to high volume levels. It can arise from a number of sources, including workplace noise exposure, concerts and sporting events. Risks of widespread video game use remain underestimated ,” said Dr. Sasheendran, chair of the American Academy of Health’s Education and Research Subcommittee and co-chair of Seha’s Audiology Advisory Committee.
In its 2021 report, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people globally, or one in four people, will have some degree of hearing loss. At least 700 million of them will need ear and hearing care and other rehabilitation services unless action is taken.
He points to a study done in Italy that used an acoustic manikin to understand the volume of sound entering a person’s ear while playing a video game. This, he says, has had astonishing results.
“Shockingly, the sound that reaches the ears can go as high as 104 decibels to 118 decibels. Occupational health and safety guidelines state that someone working at 115 decibels is only safe for 15 minutes. And someone playing video games is not. aware of the risk this poses to his hearing.”
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Hearing loss is preventable
Prolonged exposure to high decibel levels may damage the sensory cells in the ear, leading to noise-induced hearing loss. Problems like this are preventable, but several steps need to be taken, including early hearing detection through screening.
Dr Sasheendran said results from the school’s screening service showed some students had “hidden hearing loss”.
“We were able to identify several children who had hearing loss, which was why they were not doing well in school. They were unable to concentrate at home. After detailed examination, we found that this was due to prolonged use of headphones while playing video games.”
Controlling the sound from your child’s headphones, limiting the volume, using noise-canceling headphones, and wearing earplugs in noisy places are some ways to prevent hearing loss.
“There is a need to raise awareness about noise-induced hearing loss, which is preventable. We need to emphasize the importance of using headphones safely, especially for children who play video games,” added Dr Sasheendran.
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