People who play video games may be at risk for irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus (a persistent ringing/ringing in the ears), a new study has found. The study, published in BMJ Public Health, reviewed 14 studies from nine countries involving a total of more than 50,000 people.
While headphones, earbuds, and music concerts have been recognized as sources of potentially dangerous loudness, relatively little attention has been paid to the effects of video games, including esports.
“This study is very important in today's era, because most of us, consciously or unconsciously, are exposed to such noises and it is the main reason that causes hearing loss and causes tinnitus. ,” says Dr. Neha Sood. He is the Deputy Director of ENT and Cochlear Implant, BLK-Max Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi. “Gaming has become increasingly popular in recent years. Young people, and even adults, are using headphones to play games online and on their mobile phones, which is increasing the incidence of hearing loss,” she said. added.
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Sounds below 70 dB are considered safe. For comparison, a whisper is about 30 dB, a normal conversation is about 60 dB, and the engine speed of a motorcycle is about 95 dB. Loud noises above 120 dB can have an immediate effect on your ears. The sound gets louder when you get closer to the source, and quieter when you move away from it. The further away you are from loud noises, the lower the risk of damaging your hearing. The effects of sound increase with prolonged exposure. A single loud burst can be just as damaging to your hearing as one sustained over an extended period of time.
“That being said, children and teens are often exposed to noise levels that can permanently harm their hearing over time. Video games, loud music (concerts, etc.) Dangerous noise levels such as those caused by motorized sports events such as cars (or listening with earphones), and motorized sports events such as motor vehicles.
It's not music that's pleasant to the ears.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 5% of the world's population, or 430 million people, require rehabilitation to cope with disabling hearing loss.
According to the WHO, disabling hearing loss is hearing loss greater than 35 decibels (dB) in the better hearing ear. Almost 80% of people with disabling hearing loss live in low- and middle-income countries. The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, with more than 25% of people over the age of 60 affected by disability-related hearing loss, the World Health Organization added.
The problem of hearing loss is increasing day by day. “According to the WHO, India
5 years later, 10 years later. And this problem is gender-agnostic at this point,” says Dr. Shyama Kobale, consultant otolaryngology at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.
So, what are the warning signs of hearing loss? When should you see a doctor? According to Dr. Shikha Sharma, Head of Otorhinolaryngology, Yasas Hospital, Noida Extension, common symptoms include: These include difficulty understanding conversations in noisy environments, asking others to repeat themselves frequently, turning up the volume on electronic devices, and experiencing ringing or buzzing sounds. Hearing sounds in the ears (tinnitus).
You may also notice a gradual decline in your ability to hear high-pitched sounds and voices, and find it difficult to follow conversations, especially on the phone. In children, signs of hearing loss may manifest as delayed language development and difficulty learning at school. “If any of these symptoms are present, we recommend that you seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, in the case of sudden or severe hearing loss, ear pain, ear discharge, or dizziness, seek immediate medical attention. ” adds Dr. Sharma.
According to Dr. Mitul C. Bhatt, a prominent Mumbai-based otolaryngologist, in infants and children, the signs of hearing loss can vary depending on their age. “Babies with hearing loss may not startle at loud noises, may not be able to face the source of the sound even after 6 months of age, may be able to speak only one word by the age of 1, may not be able to call out their name, etc.” “There is a possibility that the patient may not respond even if the patient is given treatment,” the doctor said. I will explain.
Older children with hearing loss may say “eh” frequently, have delayed language development compared to other children, exhibit slurred speech, have difficulty following instructions, and may be unable to use television or tablets. Dr. Bhatt added that this could increase the volume of the sound.
safe listening habits
There are many ways to develop safe listening habits. “Use your headphones wisely and invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Listen at a volume level of 60% for no more than 60 minutes per day. Use wired headphones if possible, and use headphones rather than earbuds. , use earmuffs or cotton pads to protect your ears during loud events.
Dr Sharma from Yasas Hospital added: “When using personal audio devices such as smartphones and MP3 players, you should be aware of your volume levels, keep them at a reasonable level, and take regular breaks to give your ears a rest. Using noise-canceling headphones , reducing the need to increase the volume level in noisy environments.
In addition, you can minimize your exposure by keeping a safe distance from sources of noise, such as concert speakers or machinery in industrial facilities. “When engaging in activities with potentially harmful noise levels, it is important to wear hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs,” says Dr. Sharma.
As far as prevention is concerned, the most important thing is for people to be educated and follow the guidance of their doctors. “Everyone needs to be educated that exposure to loud sounds is dangerous. Most people don't realize that. And that's why they continue to do that exposure for long periods of time. ,” says Dr. Sood of BLK-Max Super Specialty Hospital.
Dr Bhatt of Mumbai agrees. “It is essential that parents, educators and health professionals educate children and young people about the potential risks associated with these activities and encourage the use of hearing protection devices when necessary to prevent hearing loss. ”
As previously mentioned, if you experience any signs or symptoms of hearing loss, you should seek medical attention. “Additionally, if parents notice any worrying signs about their child's hearing development, such as speech delays or unresponsiveness to sounds, they should consult a health care professional.” , it is important to seek medical help in a timely manner to prevent further complications,” added Dr. Butt.
please play safe
- Choose headphones instead of earphones
- Follow the 60:60 rule – listen no more than 60 minutes per day at 60% of maximum volume
- Take regular breaks of 15 to 20 minutes to allow your ears to recover.
- Set volume limits for personal listening devices
- Never listen at 100% volume level
- When listening to music with headphones or earphones, make sure the volume level is low enough so that you can hear people around you talking.
- When attending a concert or sporting event, wear earplugs to limit noise to 15 to 35 decibels.
- Wear protective earmuffs when working with noisy machinery
- Do not insert cotton swabs, hairpins, etc. into the ear canal. These objects can become stuck in the ear canal or cause a ruptured eardrum.
Dr. Atul Mittal, Chief Director and Head, Fortis ENT, Gurugram
