07 March 2024 , 09:51
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Ignoring warnings on your phone could seriously harm your health.
Recent news has highlighted that gamers are at risk of permanent hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to loud noises for extended periods. New research shows that smartphones and other devices could also be causing long-term hearing damage. The study, carried out by Boots Hearingcare, found that one in five UK adults who have received an automatic volume-limiter notification on their smartphone have ignored it and continued listening to their media at the same sound level.
Volume limiters are crucial alerts that tell the listener when a sound is too loud and could be damaging their ear health. Some gadgets, like iPhones, send automatic notifications, while others require you to manually set the volume limit for music, videos and any other sounds playing.
Not only do one in five confess to listening at the same level after receiving a volume limit notification, nearly half say they 'turn the volume down sometimes'. Many smartphones can reach 100dB (decibels), and studies show that sounds at this level can cause hearing loss after just 15 minutes of exposure.
Hannah Samuels, an expert in hearing at Boots Hearingcare, said: "The new research is extremely concerning, volume limiter notifications are vital in helping people prevent hearing loss, and to see that so many people are ignoring them is worrying. We'd encourage anyone with a smartphone, or any other device that allows it, to ensure that volume limiter notifications are set, ideally at around 70dB maximum, and that as soon as you're sent a volume warning you reduce the volume immediately."
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She also mentioned how bad loud sounds can be for our ears over time, reports Wales Online. Hannah said: "Whilst it's difficult to visualise the impact listening to these loud sounds might have on a day-to-day basis, the long-term impacts can be life-changing, so it's crucial that this is taken seriously from an early age to help prevent a generation of people growing up with hearing loss caused by continuous exposure to loud noises."
Hannah adds: "It's positive to see that a higher percentage of people do turn the volume down every single time they see the notification, but it's not enough. One in five people continuing to listen to the volume at a level they've been made aware is dangerous is a shocking statistic - perhaps even more shockingly, a small number of respondents even admitted that they turn the volume up after seeing the volume warning.
"We urge tech companies to do more when it comes to preventing hearing loss and tinnitus among their customers - especially when it comes to children engaging in watching videos, listening to music, or as recent studies have shown, gaming. Not only that, anyone using a device, or parents of children using devices, can take preventative measures into their own hands by setting manual volume limits. If you're worried that your hearing might have been impacted by exposure to loud noises, book a free hearing test to understand your ear health and speak to an audiologist about any concerns."
Consider these tips to protect your ears while using tech gadgets
Pay heed to the warnings
"One of the main things you can do to prevent negatively impacting your hearing is aiming to keep the volume below 70dB, and paying attention to the warning signs if it goes over this level. Maximum volume on most tech devices can cause irreparable damage within just a few minutes - no song, game or video is worth risking your health in this way!"
Set your own limits
"While some devices do send automatic notifications after listening at a certain volume for a period of time, others require you to manually set these limits. Make a habit of setting a volume limit at around 70dB whenever you get a new device to make sure your ears are protected from the get-go."
Invest in protective headphones
"Whilst regulation states that headphones sold in Europe are restricted to a maximum of 100dB output - certain brands and models of headphones and in-ear earphones include a volume limiter, allowing you to ensure you're listening at a safe dB level.
"For children, invest in a child-specific set of headphones which won't allow them to increase the volume at all past 70dB - this way you can allow your child to game, or listen to music with your mind at ease knowing that their hearing is protected."
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Hannah adds: "Although we are extremely concerned by this research and the number of people admitting that they ignore the warning signs - we hope that it helps to educate people and encourage them to prioritise their ear health to prevent any hearing problems in the future."