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Teenagers and young adults should listen to music on headphones for no more than one hour per day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
The global health authority has warned that 1.1 billion 12 to 35-year-olds are at risk of hearing loss because of “unsafe use” of personal audio devices including smartphones, as well as exposure to damaging levels of sounds in nightclubs, bars and at sporting events.
Nearly half of all young people in middle and high income countries were putting themselves at risk of tinnitus and, in extreme cases, irreversible hearing loss, they said.
Exposure to 100 decibels (dB) for 15 minutes is classified as unsafe, as is 85dB for eight hours. The maximum volume on some music players, as well as noise levels in clubs, often exceed 100dB while 85dB is close to the noise level in a moving car.
The WHO recommended limiting the use of personal music players, and wearing earplugs when visiting noisy venues.
“As they go about their daily lives doing what they enjoy, more and more young people are placing themselves at risk of hearing loss,” said Dr Etienne Krug, WHO director for injury prevention said. “They should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back. Taking simple preventative actions will allow people to continue to enjoy themselves without putting their hearing at risk.”
Noise levels in the workplace should not exceed 85dB, the WHO said, and those who work in nightclubs and at sporting events should take particular caution.
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