After going to the concert, I suffered "sudden deafness"! Survey: Hearing deteriorates fastest among 20-year-olds
“Micro-hearing loss” survey results: Young people have the fastest hearing loss
Modern people are almost inseparable from 3C products regardless of work, life, or entertainment. The proportion of wearing headphones for long periods of time is also increasing. Many people are facing the crisis of “micro-hearing loss” without even realizing it. The latest “micro-hearing loss” survey shows that nearly 80% (77%) of the 20-year-old group wear headphones almost every day, while the 40-49-year-old group has the highest proportion of “heavy immersion” use at high volumes for long periods of time. This may significantly increase the risk of ear overstrain.
Statistics from the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare show that about 69,587 people in Taiwan have “micro-hearing loss”, which means that one in every 100 people faces mild hearing problems. A recently published “micro-hearing loss” survey found that 44% of people in their 20s cannot hear each other’s voices and content clearly, the highest among all generations. This is especially true for people in their 20s who spend a lot of time watching TV shows and playing online games. This condition is closely related to the “micro-hearing loss” problem of the younger generation.
What are the causes and types of hearing loss? Sudden deafness during a concert?
Dr. Zhang Hong of Linkou Smile Parent-child Otolaryngology Department said that among the causes of hearing loss, congenital factors include maternal and fetal infection, low birth weight of newborns, hypoxia, and severe jaundice; acquired factors are related to disease, trauma, and noise. In particular, extremely loud volumes such as gunshots and construction site machinery can cause irreversible hearing damage in a very short period of time. Since the ear has the lowest protection against high-frequency sounds, high-decibel and high-frequency sounds are most likely to damage inner ear cells, and there is currently no treatment to regenerate them.
Hearing loss can be divided into mild (micro-hearing loss), moderate, moderately severe, severe and total deafness. The micro-hearing loss group includes mild hearing loss (the smallest sound that can be heard by both ears is between 20 and 40 decibels), and unilateral hearing loss (one ear can hear sounds below 15 decibels, and the inferior ear can only hear sounds above 20 decibels. sound), high-frequency hearing loss (sounds exceeding 2000Hz, both ears or one ear can only hear sounds above 25 decibels).
Dr. Zhang Hong pointed out that in recent years, the number of patients seeking outpatient help due to hearing loss has tended to be younger, and most of them are accompanied by tinnitus and ear fatigue. Some young patients themselves are not aware of hearing loss, and seek medical treatment only after their partners remind them that they cannot hear. There are also young people who have experienced short-term sudden deafness after participating in a concert. The public is reminded to go to an otolaryngology department for examination and treatment within the golden time to avoid irreversible hearing damage.
Has even brain function deteriorated? Impact of hearing loss on all age groups
The WHO has issued a reminder that hearing loss is a global health issue, and it is estimated that by 2050, 1 in 4 people will be hearing-impaired. Audiologist Chen Xuexia said that hearing is different from vision. Many people are not aware of hearing damage at ordinary times. In addition, if they do not seek medical treatment in time, long-term hearing loss may even lead to the degradation of brain cognitive function. It creates more burdens on individuals’ work, family and society.
Audiologist Chen Xuexia pointed out that hearing impairment in people under the age of 20 can easily affect their academic performance and peer relationships, and can also cause psychological problems, such as interpersonal tension and low self-worth. Young adults over the age of 20 are prone to workplace friction and poor work performance due to hearing impairment. Foreign studies show that the total income of young adults with hearing loss is lower than that of the general population. In addition, it may make it more difficult to choose a spouse, or communication with family members and partners may be unsatisfactory, leading to tension in family relationships.
As for middle-aged and elderly people who have hearing impairment, coupled with physical function degradation and cognitive impairment, not only will their workplace and family be affected, but they will also suffer from low self-worth, depression, and dementia. These factors are combined with other health problems and physical and mental illnesses. It will create a vicious cycle and significantly reduce the quality of life. Obviously, behind the problems caused by hearing loss in different age groups may be costs shared by society.
Doctor: The 66 rule is the most important way to prevent hearing loss and protect ears
Dr. Zhang Hong said that to prevent hearing loss caused by wearing headphones for a long time, the most important thing is to remember the “Rule of 66”: Do not wear headphones for more than 60 minutes, and the volume should be less than 60% of the maximum volume of the playback device. In terms of diet, take in appropriate sources of vitamin B12, such as beef, salmon, tuna, egg yolks, milk, etc. Young people are reminded to try not to wear headphones to play online games in noisy environments. Use noise-canceling headphones to reduce the volume to your ears.
Audiologist Chen Xuexia also recommends that office workers try not to use headphones in excessively noisy backgrounds such as the MRT, wet markets, and roads. When they have tinnitus or conscious hearing loss, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible and receive regular hearing tests. If you attend a concert or KTV party, you may consider using earplugs and other tools to protect your ears.
Hearing specialist Chen Xuexia reminds that the use of noise-cancelling headphones is becoming more common among Taiwanese, but the algorithms and manufacturing materials of electroacoustic products vary greatly. It is best to choose noise-cancelling headphones from well-known manufacturers that are comfortable enough to wear. If you have any hearing problems, you should seek help from an otolaryngologist or audiologist for early intervention or measures to reduce the occurrence of irreversible hearing damage.
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