UK youth facing ‘hearing loss timebomb’

Young people have been urged to wear ear plugs if they go to music gigs or nightclubs regularly, or face the prospect of permanent hearing loss.

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) has warned that Britain is facing a “hearing loss timebomb” and claims that 90 per cent of young people experience symptoms of hearing damage after going out but are not taking any precautions.

As part of its Like it Loud? Report, the charity asked youngsters about their habits when it came to protecting their hearing.

The survey suggested that 70 per cent of clubbers, 68 per cent of concert goers and 44 per cent of people who go to bars suffer hearing-related problems such as tinnitus.

RNID is urging the government to introduce a noise-exposure level and publicise the potential dangers of loud noise through educating young people on the risk.

“We’re all familiar with messages about practising safe sex and using suncream – but the lack of any guidance on loud music means this generation of music lovers could be facing a hearing loss timebomb,” RNID chief executive Dr John Low said.

“Our research shows most young people have experienced the first signs of permanent hearing damage after a night out, yet have no idea how to prevent it. With regular exposure to music at high volumes in clubs, gigs and bars, it’s only too easy to clock up noise doses that could damage their hearing forever.”

RNID head of campaigns Emma Harrison added on the Today programme that young people were exposing themselves to “dangerous levels” of noise over a prolonged period.