Noise-induced hearing loss is becoming common among younger Singaporeans today.

If you think blasting music in your earphones or headphones is your safe haven from the noise and bustle on the bus or MRT train, think again. Plugging into your earphones for more than an hour at a time and at very high volume can lead to noise-induced hearing loss over time.

Otolaryngologists at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group, are seeing more younger Singaporeans aged below 30 with hearing difficulties.

“Listening to high-decibel music for prolonged hours may cause sensorineural hearing loss. With each exposure to loud music, the tiny hair cells or nerve endings in the inner ear or cochlea may become damaged,” says Dr Barrie Tan Yau Boon, Senior Consultant and Head, Department of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat), Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.

Hearing loss occurs when the damaged nerve cells fail to send sound signals to the brain, adds Dr Tan, who is also Director of the Centre for Hearing and Ear Implants, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.

A team of researchers comprising members from SGH published in the February 2014 edition of the Singapore Medical Journal an original article entitled “The music listening preferences and habits of youths in Singapore and its relation to leisure noise-induced hearing loss”. It concluded that one in six young persons in Singapore is at risk of developing leisure noise-induced hearing loss from music delivered via earphones1. The same study showed that male students were more likely to listen to music at louder volumes than female students.

How loud is loud to the ears?

If you have to shout to be heard, the noise level is definitely, too high. In fact, repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels (equivalent to the sound of a lawn mower) can permanently impair your hearing.

Listening to music at full blast on your iPod and MP3 player with in-ear earphones can actually exceed the sound level (120-130 decibels) of a jet plane taking off the runway.

At rock concerts, sound levels can reach as high as 140dB if you are near the speakers. Without ear protection, you may suffer a ruptured eardrum if you are exposed to sound levels at 150dB.

Symptoms of hearing loss

Signs that you may have noise-induced hearing loss include:

1. Hearing muffled speech and sounds (dull hearing)
2. Ringing in ears
   
3. Frequently asking others to speak loudly and slowly
   
4. Difficulty in deciphering what people say against background noise
5. Having to turn up the volume of radio and television

Tips to protect your ears while listening to music

Limit the amount of time using your earphones or headphones

As a general guideline, use personal listening devices for a maximum of 60 minutes a day. The duration of the noise exposure is just as important as the noise volume.

Replace in-ear earphones with noise-cancelling headphones

Noise-cancelling headphones block out background noise so you are less likely to turn up the sound volume of your iPod or MP3 player.

Use earplugs

Buy earplugs that are designed for hearing protection. Wear them at live music concerts, music festivals and while out clubbing.

Take regular breaks from loud noise

Take regular breaks and stay away from loud speakers at live concerts, music festivals and clubs. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause irreversible hearing loss.

Lower your sound volume of your audio devices

When you are wearing headphones, the person sitting or standing next to you should not be able to hear what you are listening to. Avoid tuning your car radio, home stereo or personal music player to maximum volume. And if you cannot hear surrounding conversations and background noise, it is time to lower the volume.

“Sensorineural hearing loss is irreversible and happens over time. It is preventable but you need to make lifestyle changes now and reduce noise exposure before it is too late,” says Dr Tan.

Ref: N18