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Listen to This: Turns Out Headphones Can Cause Major Hearing Loss

Listen to This: Turns Out Headphones Can Cause Major Hearing Loss

It might be hard to part ways with your beloved AirPods, but it could be the only thing standing between you and long-term hearing loss.

A new study suggests that roughly one billion people between the ages of 12 and 35 are at risk of hearing loss due to their usage of headphones and earbuds, as well as attending live music events.

More than 430 million people worldwide already have disabling hearing loss, and the next generation is especially vulnerable. Nearly a quarter of Gen Z participants listen to music with headphones at a higher decibel than is recommended by the CDC, and 48 percent frequently attend loud music events without proper hearing protection. The CDC recommends listeners to not exceed 85 decibels for extended periods of time, while many respondents reported listening to music at 100 or more decibels. 

The authors of the study emphasize the need for governments, industry and civil society to prioritize global hearing loss prevention by promoting safe listening practices. In order to prevent hearing loss, the study’s authors recommend paying closer attention to the volume of the devices used and taking regular breaks.

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