iPods, MP3 players and Earphones are responsible for hearing loss?

The increasing popularity of entertainment devices like iPods, MP3 players and earphones are being responsible for hearing loss of teenagers.

Study reveals that 30% of American teenagers have some level of hearing loss. The amount of slight hearing loss has increased more than the late 80s and early 90s in the past 15 years. Researchers also said that the number of mild or worse hearing loss has increased by 70%.

Out of every five teens, one suffers by slight hearing loss. It affects their ability of learning, speech perception, social skills development and self-image. Out of twenty youths, one, who is aged between the ages of 12 and 19, has to suffer more several losses. It may affect the youth to listen and learn.

This report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston did the study of hearing loss. Nearly 5000 adolescents’, who are aged between 12 and 19, had been observed with their hearing screened as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, in 1988-94 and 2005-06.

According to a study in Australia, the use of headphones in portable music player increased the risk of hearing loss 70%. It is believed by many experts is that the use of such headphones is the primary cause of hearing loss in teens.

What is noted is that it can take years or decades to develop the hearing loss from noise exposure.

Now, readers should feel interest to know how they can keep themselves safe from hearing loss. However, they do not need to give up their MP3 players or iPods. What they need to do is to keep the volume neither in loud voice nor in low.

However, teenagers can lost their hearing ability for other reasons too. It may be genetics, medicines, head trauma and loud noises. On the other hand, anyone can lose his or her hearing ability because of ear infection too.