Hearing ability may become worse after a pop rock concert
According to a new study, 72% of teenagers had some problems with hearing ability after a pop rock performance.
29 teenagers were given free tickets to a rock concert. Using a calibrated sound pressure meter, 1,645 measurements of sound decibel (dBA) levels were recorded during the 26 songs played during the 3 hour concert. The sound levels ranged from 82-110 dBA, with an average of 98.5 dBA. The mean level was greater than 100 dBA for 10 of the 26 songs.
After the concert, 53.6% of the teens said they did not think they were hearing as well after the concert. 25% had tinnitus or ringing in their ears, which they did not experience before the concert.
Researchers are concerned, because in the most recent government survey on health in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006, 20% of teens had at least slight hearing loss, a 31% increase from a similar survey performed from 1988-1994.
‘Teenagers need to understand a single exposure to loud noise either from a concert or personal listening device can lead to hearing loss. With multiple exposures to noise over 85 decibels, the tiny hair cells may stop functioning and the hearing loss may be permanent,’ - said M. Jennifer Derebery, MD, lead author and physician at the House Clinic.
Comments
(0)