By Stacey Elston, Audiologist, NT
“So, what does that mean?” Ryan* asked, now looking rather concerned. He had come in for a hearing assessment, having not met the required hearing criteria in a pre-employment health screening.
“Your results show that you have mild-to-moderate hearing loss in both ears.” I allowed him some space to absorb the news of his new reality.
“But no, I can’t. I mean, I shouldn’t. I’m only 26 years old. I really want the job.”
As an audiologist, this is a conversation I have frequently. What concerns me in Ryan’s case is the preventable cause of his hearing loss and unfortunately that he isn’t the only one.
Video games are costing young people their hearing
The number of young people presenting to audiology clinics reporting hearing loss concerns and symptoms seems to be increasing, and many people in the hearing world believe it is a result of increased headphone use. In 2015, the World Health Organization predicted over one billion people are at risk of hearing damage due to unsafe recreational listening practices. When I discuss a client’s communication concerns with them in clinic, I now ask questions directly related to headphone use and a common factor seems to emerge. A sub-group of headphone users at risk of hearing loss, and other audiological symptoms, are young people who love to immerse themselves in the alternative reality of computer or video games. That’s right: I’m talking about ‘Gamers’.
Gamers are increasingly at risk of hearing loss, particularly from playing video games with headphones on a loud volume.
Now I’m not here to fear monger or cast shade (I’ve been known to run Sonic after gold rings for hours on end, #kidofthe90s), but to support World Hearing Day and Audiology Australia’s message to gamers, I wanted to share the dangers of gaming with your volume maxed out. My hope is to inspire change toward protecting your hearing from loud sounds and prevent hearing losses like Ryan’s.
The ears are a remarkable component of the human body, yet they are delicate and susceptible to damage. Continuous exposure to high levels of sound through headphones and earbuds can cause irreversible harm to the intricate structures within the hearing system – the sensorineural hearing loss that results is permanent.
Another way I explain it is that noise exposure accelerates the aging process in your hearing system – much like sun exposure does so to our skin.
Symptoms of noise induced hearing loss called tinnitus (persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing sound) and hyperacusis (sound sensitivity) can be present and become permanent. However, the impact of hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis reaches much further than an individual’s ears. Relationships, mental health, cognition, finances, employment, education are just a few of the domains that can be negatively impacted.
Furthermore, research into the impact of prolonged noise exposure in humans shows an increased risk of anxiety, stress, heart disease, sleep disturbances, just to name a few.
There is good news though and that is what I share with clients, especially those who love to game.
Stacey Elston is an audiologist based in Darwin who has recently treated numerous gamers. (Supplied: Stacey Elston)
The solution is simpler than you think
The hearing damage from noise exposure results from the complex relationship between how long, how loud, and what you listen to through your headset.
Headphones that are used at maximum volume can deliver sound at 100+dB – this is a volume that can cause the irreversible damage discussed above. So, keep the volume below 60-70% of the maximum volume.
Some gamers have reported playing for up to 6 hours at a time. Remember the longer you expose your ears to unhealthy volumes of noise, the greater the potential for irreversible damage and negative health impacts. So, take breaks of 10 minutes every hour (and when you do, minimises the noises that you can control). A general rule circulating the gaming world is the 60/60 Rule. No more than 60% volume for 60 minutes before taking a break.
Finally, if you do game with a headset… Get regular hearing check-ups.
After Ryan presented to me in clinic, I suggested these strategies to him to ensure he could continue to game without further damaging his hearing. I also provided him with the support he needed to accept his hearing loss and move forward in a positive direction.
By no means do I ever say don’t game, please just please game safely.
And, if you have concerns reach out to an audiologist. In our world, there’s no shame if you love to game.
*The name of the client mentioned in this article has been changed to protect their privacy.
About the author
Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist Stacey Elston is the founder of Darwin Ears and Hearing. With years of experience practicing in both urban and remote clinical settings, Stacey enjoys working with people of all ages to help people hear who and what they love.