A quarter of under 35s show early signs of hearing loss, study shows
One in four people under the age of 35 are exhibiting signs of hearing loss, according to a new study.
More than 1,000 people between the ages of 16 and 35 took part in 'speech-in-noise' tests over the course of around four months. According to data collected during those sessions, 24% of participants were found to have hearing loss, and a further 19% had possible signs of hearing damage.
Overall, 47% had a 'hearing age' significantly older than their biological age, with an average difference of 13 years. More than half of those involved in the study admitted hearing problems had a negative impact on their quality of life.
The analysis was carried out by Eargym, an app that recreates hearing challenges to help improve people's ability to listen in difficult environments. Launched in 2020, it's the brainchild of former-NHS CEO Amanda Philpott and DJ Andy Shank. Both had been diagnosed with hearing loss prior to founding the company.
"Hearing loss is an emerging crisis for young people. The majority of us will experience some form of hearing loss in our lifetimes, but it’s particularly concerning to see an unexpected number of young people worried about their hearing and showing signs of hearing difficulties," Philpott said in a recent Music Tech interview.
"The good news is that hearing loss is preventable, and we can take proactive steps to look after and improve our hearing at any age," she continued. "Research shows that whilst the ear itself cannot be directly improved without hardware, the brain can learn and respond to specific auditory stimuli through regular training.”
In March, resale platform TicketSwap published figures suggesting that 50% of gig goers are at risk of hearing loss. Meanwhile, the British Medical Journal estimates around 1.1billion people could develop permanent hearing loss due to unsafe recreational listening practices. One quarter regularly play music at an unsafe decibel level, and 48% have been exposed to damaging volumes at events.
