Senior audiologist explains the '60/60' rule that may help Gen Z prevent long-term hearing loss
Some all-new habits followed by Gen Z might cause certain early-onset health problems. Hearing loss is one such issue that the younger generations are facing earlier than usual. The cause might be the use of listening devices and more, per Newsweek. Increased use of headphones at a high volume could be one of the reasons, per a study conducted by Synchrony on 2,001 adults in the country between the ages of 18-55. However, there is something people can do to prevent it.
As per audiologists, Gen Z uses headphones for about 4.2 hours a day, which is twice as much compared to the previous generations, reported the publication. This could be a leading cause of early hearing impairment. Dr. Rachel Artsma, a senior audiologist at hear.com, shared that young people can prevent the issue by following the 60/60 rule with personal listening devices. "When using personal listening devices, following the 60/60 rule is a good practice—keeping the volume at no more than 60 percent of the maximum level and limiting listening time to 60 minutes at a time. This helps reduce the risk of long-term damage," Artsma shared. "This simple practice can help reduce the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus."
According to a survey conducted by BMJ Global Health, around 670 million to 1.35 billion people around the world are at risk of hearing loss because of their listening practices. Both personal listening devices and loud music at entertainment venues could cause the same. "This trend suggests that Gen Z could experience hearing loss at earlier ages compared to previous generations, highlighting the need for greater awareness and preventative measures," Artsma pointed out. Common signs of hearing loss can include signs like "frequently asking others to repeat themselves, difficulty understanding conversations in noisy environments and the need to increase the volume on the TV or radio beyond what others find comfortable."
"People may experience a persistent ringing in their ears, known as tinnitus. If someone notices these symptoms, it is beneficial to seek a hearing care professional," the audiologist emphasized. However, many people go through significant hearing damage before they reach out for medical help. That's why people must follow additional precautionary measures, per Artsma, along with the 60/60 rule. "One of the most important steps young people can take to prevent hearing loss is using hearing protection in loud environments. This includes wearing earplugs around loud noises such as concerts, sporting events, or when using loud machinery."
As per the study by BMJ Global Health, it has become necessary to create more awareness about the concerns that arise out of unsafe listening practices. At the same time, "for many people, hearing loss is a natural part of life. In the U.S., nearly 38 million adults experience some degree of hearing loss. With the right hearing care, they can significantly improve their quality of life and continue to fully engage with the world around them," Artsma explained. She suggested that people should reach out to an audiologist or a hearing specialist if they feel that they are facing issues with their hearing as early as possible.