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Teen Hearing Loss Soars: 1 in 8 Show Damage by 18
4 Dec
Summary
- About 13% of teens display noise-induced hearing damage by age 18.
- Permanent hearing loss affects 6% of teenagers by 18.
- Loud recreational noise exposure significantly increases teen hearing risk.
New findings reveal a concerning trend in adolescent hearing health, with approximately 13% of teenagers showing signs of noise-induced hearing damage by the age of 18. This research, conducted in the Netherlands, highlights that a significant portion of this age group experiences hearing notches or permanent loss due to loud noise exposure.
The study followed over 3,300 Dutch teenagers, observing an increase in hearing "notches"—a reduced ability to hear specific sound frequencies—between ages 13 and 18. Researchers attribute this decline to frequent exposure to sounds exceeding 85 decibels, a level known to cause temporary or permanent hearing impairment.
Experts emphasize the irreversible nature of inner ear hair cell damage from loud noises and the potential long-term effects. Even mild hearing loss in teens can disrupt communication, affect academic performance, and may accelerate age-related hearing loss later in life, stressing the need for early intervention and further research into noise sources.
