1.1 Bn Teenagers, Adults At Risk Of Hearing Loss Due To Unsafe Use of Personal Audio Device : WHO

01 March,Mumbai

Some 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe use of personal audio devices, including smart phones, and exposure to damaging levels of sound at night- clubs, bars and sporting events, the World Health Organisation, WHO has warned.

It also recommended that people should use personal audio devices for no more than one hour a day.

Data from studies in middle and high-income countries analysed by WHO indicate that among teenagers and young adults aged 12 to 35 years, nearly 50 per cent are exposed to unsafe levels of sound from the use of personal audio devices and around 40 per cent are exposed to potentially damaging levels of sound at entertainment venues.

Unsafe levels of sounds can be, for example, exposure to in excess of 85 decibles (dB) for eight hours or 100 dB for 15 minutes. WHO recommends that the highest permissible level of noise exposure in the workplace is 85 dB up to a maximum of eight hours per day.

To mark International Ear Care Day, celebrated each year on the 3rd of March, WHO is launching the ‘Make Listening Safe’ initiative to draw attention to the dangers of unsafe listening and promote safer practices.