Loud Music and Headphones Threaten Young People’s Hearing

Listening to loud music has become more common, especially through personal listening devices (PLDs) like headphones and earphones. However, this trend comes with serious hearing risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people aged 12 to 35 years are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud music and other recreational sounds.

On World Hearing Day, observed on March 3, 2025, the WHO highlighted the theme: “Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!” This campaign encourages people to:

Protect their ears from loud sounds

Get regular hearing checks

Practice safe listening habits

Support those living with hearing loss

Research shows that people who already have hearing loss are at higher risk of worsening their condition, especially if they ignore volume warnings on their devices. Studies also indicate that long-term PLD users face significant hearing challenges:

Among users with more than four years of PLD use, about two-thirds who experienced ear ringing, buzzing, or a sense of fullness had measurable hearing loss.

Young adults who listen daily for over 30 minutes, or a total of 7 hours per week, show noticeable changes in hearing thresholds, especially at higher frequencies up to 8000 Hz.

Experts warn that prolonged exposure to loud sounds is one of the leading causes of preventable hearing loss in young people. Safe listening practices, such as lowering volume, taking breaks, and being aware of early warning signs like ringing in the ears, can significantly reduce the risk.