AWARENESS
LISTEN NOW TO HEAR TOMORROW
A Doctor specializing in hearing loss reveals a stark reality: we may be facing a pandemic of deafness in the near future. Children as young as 9 are now being treated for hearing loss typically seen in 60-year-olds. The cause? Prolonged exposure to headphones and powerful speakers. This everyday audio technology, once a mark of progress, is now inflicting irreversible damage and could lead to widespread hearing disabilities in the near future.
"Our ears’ nerve cells - like our muscles after a workout - need a break to repair themselves and flush out waste. If we don’t give our ears that rest, the nerve cells can die and once a hearing nerve cell dies it doesn’t grow back (causing permanent hearing loss)"
2 MAIN CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS
It's a fact that loud noises can cause permanent hearing loss. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is recognized as an occupational hazard, and work-regulations limit exposure to 85 decibels over an 8-hour workday. This is based on the understanding that our ears have a maximum amount of decibels they can listen in one day. According to a research published recently in BMJ, more than 1 billion people will have hearing loss in the next ten years.
LOUD MUSIC IN EVENTS
CAUSE OF HEARING LOSS # 1
High-quality speakers and massive subwoofers with deep, resonant bass, have become a draw for venues. They're not just sound systems; they're a statement.
However, amidst this powerful audio technology there is a critical awareness missing. Music at concerts and festivals are louder than ever, and only a handful of people truly understand the long-term effects these loud events can have on our hearing. The potential for permanent hearing damage needs urgent attention and broader awareness.
WHEN IS IT TOO LOUD?
DECIBEL CHART
DECIBEL (dB): MEASURING THE PRESSURE OF SOUND WAVES
Did you know that our ears have a limited capacity for sound exposure before it becomes harmful? Consider this: listening to music during your commute and at the gym, attending meetings with headphones, plus the added noise of the subway and the city, might already be maxing out your daily 'hearing quota'. The following chart is showing the relationship between decibels and time of exposure; as you can see the impact grows logarithmically. This is why Labor Laws establish that in an 8 hour period workers should not be exposed to over 85 decibels.
Events and concerts frequently exceed safe audio levels, often due to inadequate acoustic treatment at venues or DJs progressively increasing the volume of the music. My research indicates that sound levels at events usually fall between 97 and 103 decibels; however, this can sometimes surge to 106 decibels. The maximum safe listening time when music is at 106 dB is just 3 minutes and 45 seconds, and the rest of the day you should only be exposed to silence to prevent potential hearing loss.
These images are screenshots from the DecibelX app, which measures live sound levels in the environment. These are of two different parties measured at 103 dB and 106 dB respectively. Post-event, numerous attendees experienced ringing in their ears, a symptom known as tinnitus. This condition often signifies exposure to dangerously high sound levels, which can lead to temporary or even permanent auditory damage.
The 85 dB limit for headphone use is a standard measure, and if you're an AirPods user, you might have seen warnings when exceeding this level. However, ENT specialists point out that this figure is somewhat arbitrary, as the true impact of having sound sources close to the cochlea is not fully understood yet.
USE OF HEADPHONES
CAUSE OF HEARING LOSS # 2
Imagine the effect of placing loudspeakers directly inside our ears - this is essentially what we are doing when wearing headphones. By doing so, we bring the audio source alarmingly close to our cochlea, closer than any other sound exposure. This is why Doctors say that the limit of 85 decibels is only symbolic, because even lower volumes during long periods of time can cause hearing loss. The true impact of this proximity in terms of decibels remains challenging to measure accurately. Regular use of headphones at higher than recommended volume for extended periods is a risk that is often overlooked in our daily lives.
The impact of loud noise on our hearing is more severe than many realize. It damages the delicate hairs inside our ears. These nerve cells recive the pressure of sound and transmits it into electrical signals to the brain. ENT Doctors are saying that the next pandemic could be deafness. In Nov 2022 BMJ Group published a peer reviewed study saying that more than 1 billion people, between the ages of 12 and 34, will suffer from hearing loss in the next decade, due to unsafe listening practices.
SOLUTIONS
Understanding the full extent of hearing damage caused by loud noises is a complex challenge, largely due to the variability of individual factors. These factors include habits like taking silence breaks after noise exposure and using ear plugs at music festivals, which I strongly recommend. Each person's interaction with sound and their preventive measures can significantly influence the degree of hearing loss they may experience. Therefore, it's crucial that we continue to explore and develop methods to effectively measure and understand this problem, taking into account these varied individual practices and their impacts on hearing health.
EAR PLUGS
WEAR HEARING PROTECTION IN EVENTS
SOLUTION
In today's high-decibel world, particularly at events where the volume is unlikely to be reduced by producers, wearing hearing protection like ear plugs is essential. This simple yet effective measure can significantly reduce the risk of long-term hearing damage. Additionally, it's wise to download a "decibel meter app" on your smartphone. These apps can help you monitor sound levels in real-time, empowering you to make informed decisions about your auditory environment. By taking these proactive steps, individuals can enjoy events while safeguarding their hearing health against the potential risks posed by consistently high noise levels.
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
BECOME A HEARO
SOLUTION
We're on the brink of launching a vital awareness campaign aimed at educating young adults and children about the safe use of technology. Alarmingly, a recent peer-reviewed study predicts that almost 2 billion people will suffer from hearing loss in the next decade due to unsafe listening habits. This is a call to action. By joining the "Hearos" community, you become part of a crucial movement.
Together, we can prevent this impending crisis, spreading awareness and advocating for safe listening practices. Join us in this endeavor to ensure that in our future, silence remains a choice, not an irreversible consequence of modern technology.
"We've never considered the level of damage caused in our hearing when the source of audio is so close to the cochlea. The next pandemic could be deafness"
- ENT Doctor
HR2 CODE
Human Rights meets Human Resourcess
SOLUTION
HR2 CODE is a pioneering initiative bridging Human Rights and Human Resources to ensure a safer future in our increasingly digital world. It focuses particularly on the domain of Artificial Intelligence (AI), often misconceived as operating without human intervention. Contrary to this belief, a significant human element exists in AI, particularly in roles involving extensive audio processing, such as in Natural Language Processing. Workers in these roles often spend 7 out of 8 hours listening to audio through headphones. This extensive exposure, combined with additional hours spent in meetings, results in almost constant headphone use during a 8-hour workday. These conditions have led to symptoms like ear fatigue and difficulty hearing in noisy environments, emerging within just a few months of employment
The intensity and nature of these jobs make these workers an ideal group for studying the physical impacts of prolonged technology use. Medical professionals are keen to investigate these effects further, urging tech companies to provide access for more in-depth studies. This research is crucial, especially as we move towards technologies like Web3, which promise to immerse all our senses in the digital realm. Understanding the long-term effects of such immersive technology use is imperative to prepare for and mitigate potential health issues in the future.
OUR JOURNEY FORWARD
Hearing loss is more than just an auditory issue; it's the largest amendable factor contributing to dementia. The inability to hear properly can lead to a loss of spatial awareness, a disconnection from one's community, and potentially, a diminished ability to speak. This isn't just a health concern; it's a matter of human rights. Everyone has the right to be informed about how technology, if used improperly, can lead to disability. The silver lining, however, is that this scenario is entirely preventable. By being aware and taking proactive steps, we can safeguard our hearing and overall well-being.
To protect our hearing in an era of escalating noise levels, it's crucial to adopt practical measures. At music events, wearing ear plugs is essential. Additionally, installing a decibel meter app on your smartphone can help monitor sound levels at these venues. In everyday life, opt for noise-canceling headphones and avoid using in-ear headphones, especially in loud environments. Regular breaks in silence are also beneficial for auditory health. Beyond personal habits, we need to advocate for medical research in this area and call for government regulation. Let’s begin the conversation of the safe use of technology!
On a personal note, as a linguist and sound therapist, I am committed to highlighting the critical need to protect our auditory and visual health. This mission is not just mine alone; it calls for a united front where event organizers, health professionals, musicians, DJs and every tech-user come together. Our goal? To adopt and advocate for responsible technology practices that safeguard our senses. By reeducating ourselves on the safe use of technology, we can maintain not just our hearing, but our overall connection to the world around us
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