Loud music leading to silent future

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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6 & objectid=10465413

Loud music leading to silent future

10:08AM Sunday September 23, 2007

 

The MP3 generation is running the risk of hearing damage, according to new research.

New research shows seven out of 10 under 30 year olds are experiencing symptoms of permanent hearing damage after listening to loud music.

The study by the National Foundation for the Deaf showed just six per cent bothered to take precautions against loud music.

The foundation said the young people had symptoms including dullness of hearing and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) - both early signs of irreversible hearing damage.

The results of the study of 10000 New Zealanders was released to mark the start of the foundation's Deaf Awareness Week with the message: "Don't Lose the Music".

Foundation executive manager Marianne Schumacher said New Zealanders were being encouraged to look after their ears now so they could enjoy music - and other sounds they love - forever.

"This research confirms our concerns that the MP3 generation is facing a hearing epidemic," said Ms Schumacher.

"Hearing loss through over-exposure to noise develops so slowly and insidiously that we often don't know it's happened until it's too late.

 

"The most frustrating thing for us is that it is preventable, and the precautions people can take are simple and easy to adopt."

The foundation is urging music lovers wear reusable earplugs at clubs and concerts that would will reduce the volume but not the quality of music.

People should also stand away from loud speakers in clubs and try to spend some time in quieter zones to give ears a break.

The foundation advises people with MP3 players to turn down the volume by a notch and avoid using the volume to drown out background noise.

 

The research showed that of the under-30 year olds with hearing problems, listening to loud music was given as the number one cause.

"We want to ensure people take sensible precautions now so they can enjoy the sounds they love forever," said Ms Schumacher."

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1376684

Turn music down or face deaf future

Sep 23, 2007 9:21 PM

New research conducted by the National Foundation for the Deaf warns music lovers to turn the volume down or face a deaf future. Research shows that 70% of under-30-year-olds have some permanent hearing damage after listening to loud music and it is under-30-year-olds who turn the volume right up that are most at risk.

The study which is the first of its kind in New Zealand shows that fashionable headphones which sit right inside the ear are causing big problems.

"We don't want to be selling hearing aids 15 years down the track when it's perfectly preventable," says Audiologist Lesley Hindmarsh.

Hindmarsh says that people who do start losing their hearing start to hear a ringing in the ears which is called Tinnitus.

Audiologists say turning down the volume is the only way to prevent hearing loss, because once the hair cells present in the ear are damaged with exposure to noise, they die off and cause irreversible damage.

Posted at 5:55pm on 24 Sep 2007

 

 

Turn it down, deaf foundation warns music lovers

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200709241755/turn_it_down,_deaf_foundation_warns_music_lovers

 

The National Foundation for the Deaf is warning of an alarming rise in young people having hearing problems that could lead to them becoming deaf.

The foundation says a survey found 70% of under-30-year-olds are showing signs of permanent hearing damage.

A spokesperson for the foundation, Nigel Murphy, says he blames iPods and MP3 players.

Mr Murphy says about 38% of young people listen to a personal music device at loud volumes every day, and do not rest their ears.

He says many of them are aware of the damage being done, but few are trying to prevent it.

2007 Radio New Zealand