Hearing Loss Among Millennials

Hearing loss can happen to anyone, at any age. The latest research has shown that more and more young adults and teens are experiencing hearing loss due to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). 

Millennial Hearing Loss Statistics

The millennial generation includes people who were born between 1981 and 1996. Reports have shown that one in five millennials have some form of hearing loss. Even younger people (12 to 17 year-olds) have been impacted by some range of NIHL.

Causes of NIHL Among Millennials

The main cause of hearing loss among this age group is listening to music or other audio through earbuds. Modern listening devices are much louder than they were in the past, and earbuds rest much closer to your eardrums. Blasting the volume can damage the tiny hair cells located in your ears, which can lead to permanent hearing loss. 

Other possible causes:

• Noise pollution in your environment: Dense populations = dense cities, along with a surge in noise levels due to busier traffic and construction.
• Media: Smartphones, TVs, computers, listening to music and podcasts are always ready for you to stream 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any long-term exposure to these sounds, even when played at a low volume, can put your hearing health at a higher risk. Hearing loss already occurs naturally as you age. The only preventable type of hearing loss is NIHL.

Remember, hearing loss begins to occur when you are exposed to 85 decibels or more. It’s easy to expose yourself to this amount of noise, by simply walking around a bustling city. Many people tend to listen to loud music or some other form of entertainment to block out unappealing noises in their surroundings. This just doubles their chances of experiencing hearing loss.    

Practicing Preventative Care

There are simple and practical ways that anyone, of any age, can do to protect and preserve their hearing health. Pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of any possible noise sources that could pose a danger to your hearing. 

• Lower the volume: It is recommended that you listen to music and other media at a 60% volume level for no more than 60 minutes. You can download and use a decibel meter app to help monitor your noise exposure. 
• Get hearing protection: A pair of foam earplugs are easy to travel with and insert into your ear canals if you encounter a loud environment. Noise-canceling headphones are also a good investment. These headphones allow you to listen to and enjoy music so that you won’t need to drown out surrounding noises. While wearing these, it’s important to use visual cues so that you can continue to be aware of your surroundings.
• Pause and resume: If you regularly attend loud events, practice music (rock or even soft classical music), work with loud tools/machinery, you are at a higher risk of long-term damage to your hearing health. Stay away from loud speakers and wear hearing protection when using loud tools. Listening fatigue is real. Your ears and brain put in the same amount of energy as the rest of your body.  

Get your life back on track with help from Pure Sound Hearing. Contact us for a free hearing test and consultation at one of our office locations in Elizabethtown, Lititz, Mt. Joy, or Strasburg.  ​

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