Excessive headphone use among children, particularly while engaged in activities like video gaming, has raised concerns among medical professionals in the UAE about potential hearing damage.
Risks of Excessive Headphone Use Among Children
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds emitted through headphones can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, a condition that affects both temporary and permanent hearing capabilities.
Dr. Hashim Raoof Abdulraheem Al Hadeethi, a specialist ENT at Burjeel Day Surgery Center in Al Shahama Deerfields Mall, highlighted the risks associated with regular headphone use among children. He explained that exposure to high volumes over extended periods can cause temporary hearing loss, known as temporary threshold shift (TTS), which typically resolves after rest. However, repeated exposure to loud noises can result in permanent damage to the delicate hair cells within the inner ear, leading to irreversible hearing impairment.
Types of Hearing Loss
Dr. Al Hadeethi distinguishes between temporary threshold shift (TTS), which resolves with rest, and permanent hearing loss caused by repeated exposure to loud noises.
Dr. Prashant Sharma, another specialist ENT from Prime Hospital, emphasized that exposure exceeding 85 decibels for more than 8 hours daily poses significant risks to the ear's hair cells. He underscored the importance of monitoring children's headphone usage closely to mitigate these risks, suggesting that over-the-ear headphones may offer some advantages by distributing sound more evenly and reducing direct pressure on the eardrums compared to earbuds.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2.5 billion people globally are projected to experience some form of hearing loss by 2050, underscoring the growing prevalence and impact of this health issue. This statistic underscores the urgency for preventive measures to mitigate the risks associated with excessive noise exposure, particularly among younger populations whose ears are still developing.
Medical professionals also highlighted broader health implications associated with noise exposure, including impacts on cardiovascular health, mental fatigue, and sleep disturbances. They advised that noise-cancelling headphones can help mitigate the need to raise volume levels in noisy environments, thereby reducing potential harm to hearing.
The topic of hearing loss has also affected notable musicians, with individuals like Alka Yagnik and Dave Grohl publicly addressing their experiences with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) attributed to prolonged exposure to high-decibel environments during performances. This underscores the universal nature of the issue and the importance of raising awareness and implementing preventive strategies to protect hearing health across all age groups.
Moreover, while headphones and earbuds can be safe if used responsibly at moderate volumes and with breaks, vigilant monitoring and awareness are crucial in safeguarding children from the risks of noise-induced hearing loss in today's increasingly digital and auditory landscape.
