While you might associate hearing loss with aging, the condition is becoming more common in younger people. According to a 2014 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12% of adults ages 18–39 have difficulty following conversations in background noise, and 6% experience tinnitus. 1 Research from 2023 shows that 17% of teenagers and 19% of people in their 20s show signs of noise-induced hearing loss. 2
Several elements of today’s modern lifestyle put Millennials and Gen Z’ers at a greater risk for noise-induced hearing loss, which results from prolonged to sudden exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels (dB).
In large part, this is because of streaming sound from digital activities like gaming and smartphones. Teens and young adults are wearing headphones for longer stretches of time.
Though not every type of hearing loss is preventable, there are a variety of steps you can take to protect your ears from noise-induced hearing loss. While using earbuds or headphones, limit listening to 60 minutes or less at 60 dB. Downloading a decibel meter app can help you keep track of your noise exposure.
It is also helpful to wear earplugs at loud events such as concerts. Try to take breaks from noise, particularly if you notice a headache, ringing or pain in your ears.
If you are concerned about hearing loss, Ear Associates audiologists are here to help. We partner with patients of all ages to provide customized care so you can hear the sounds that mean the most to you.
1 QuickStats: Percentage of Adults with Selected Hearing Problems, by Type of Problem and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey,United States, 2014. Centers for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6437a8.htm
2 Natarajan, Nirvikalpa, et all. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Journal of Clinical Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10059082