A lot of people love listening to loud music, but is it healthy for you?  Doctor Chris Workman, an audiologist with OSF HealthCare also loves listening to music but knows the dangers of loud noise and the lasting impact it can have on this hearing.  

Younger people can especially be vulnerable.  A recent study published in the BMJ Global Health Journal cautions that between 670 million and 1.35 billion teens and young adults could face hearing loss due to unsafe habits. The study analyzed data from 33 studies covering more than 19,000 people aged 12 to 34.  Researchers concentrated on two main sources of loud music exposure:  Live music events and personal listening devices, like headphones and earbuds. 

Listening to sounds at a decibel level of 85 or higher for a long or repeated amount of time. Researchers found that 24% of young people listen to their devices at volumes high enough to harm their hearing with 48% exposed to unsafe sounds at concerts.  Listening to high volumes can lead to noise-induced hearing loss as well as issues like tinnitus.  

Dr. Workman doesn't see many young adults in his practice, but when he does he encourages them to take care of their hearing.

Dr. Workman offers some tips including wearing work hearing protection and not sitting in the front row of a concert. 

The bottom line above all else Dr. Workman says is to use common sense when it comes to hearing.  
 

For more information, talk to your primary care physician.