Importance

Because risky behaviour increases and exposure to sound becomes greater as children get older, it is important to conduct research among young people into hearing damage and risky behaviour. After kindergarten, there is no longer an official hearing assessment. The study ‘Hearing damage in youth healthcare; Pilot study into the applicability of a risk questionnaire and online hearing test in secondary education’ mapped out the scale of the problem and the risks involved, so that effective information can be provided. The results underline the importance of regular screening and information for young people.

A lot of music

Listening to music is a favourite pastime. Almost all students listen to music via a music player, and more than half listen every day. Half of the students listen at a high volume (70% or louder) and do not (yet) use the volume limiter. 15% have already experienced a (temporary) ringing in their ears after listening to or making music. Only 6% of the students protect themselves when going out by wearing earplugs almost always. Yet almost half of the students have experienced ringing in their ears after going out.

Difference between boys and girls

It is striking that girls more often experience ringing in their ears after going out and also assess their own hearing as ‘worse’ than boys do. They seem to be more aware that ringing in the ears is an initial sign of hearing damage. When going out, boys are more likely than girls to wear earplugs, but they take ‘more conscious’ risks when it comes to listening to music on a music player: they listen at a higher volume, more often listen without a volume limiter and more often ignore the warning about a high volume.

Consciously dealing with risk

Most students turn the volume down when they receive a warning. However, almost one-third of the students indicate that they simply continue listening when they receive a warning about the volume on their personal music player. The same percentage was found in an earlier study among secondary school students. A large proportion of the students therefore consciously take risks and consequently risk hearing damage, or may already have it. There appears to be a link between listening at a volume of 70% or higher and receiving a ‘not good’ result on the online hearing test.

Hearing damage is irreversible

Hearing damage caused by loud sound is irreversible and can lead to communication and concentration problems, sleep problems, fatigue, reduced academic performance, social isolation and (partial) incapacity for work, among other things. Because the effects of excessive exposure often only become noticeable later in life, hearing damage sustained at a young age can have major consequences for a young person’s education and career prospects. Work is currently underway on a follow-up to the aforementioned results. The questionnaire is being further validated with the aim of incorporating it structurally into youth healthcare, supported by the Ministry of Health. The online hearing test ‘JGZ Oorcheck’ is also available to youth healthcare organisations for use in testing young people’s hearing. VeiligheidNL promotes the free hearing test via www.oorcheck.nl and, as a partner of the Third Hearing Damage Prevention Covenant, provides information through I Love My Ears.

Tips for preventing hearing damage

  • Turn on the volume limiter on your music player or phone
  • Listen to music through headphones for a maximum of 2 hours a day
  • Preferably use good headphones (covering the ear) rather than earbuds (not while in traffic, however)
  • Wear earplugs with a music filter when going out
  • Test your hearing via www.oorcheck.nl

The full report can be read here.