Youth of today risk going deaf early warns new charity partnership

20 July 2006

Today's youth are at risk of going deaf up to 30 years earlier than their parents because they are listening to MP3 players too loudly and too often.

A new national survey [1], carried out to mark the launch of a partnership between Specsavers Hearcare and Deafness Research UK, found that 14% of people spend up to a staggering 28 hours a week listening to their personal music player. More than a third of people who have experienced ringing in their ears after listening to loud music, listen to their MP3 player every day. Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, is a sign of damage to their hearing.

Over the next year, Specsavers Hearcare has pledged to raise £100,000 for Deafness Research UK and help raise awareness of hearing loss, which affects one in seven of the UK population and is the nation’s second most common disability.

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, says: "Many young people are regularly using MP3 players for long periods of time and are frighteningly unaware of the fact that loud noise can permanently damage your hearing.

"More than three quarters of people own a personal music player and sophisticated sound systems in their car and homes, which allow them to blast out music day and night. We also spend more time today in bars and clubs where the noise is so loud we can barely hear the person opposite us and few people – particularly the 16-34 year old age group - are aware of the damaging effect all this can have on their hearing."

The survey also revealed that less than half the population have ever had a hearing test, many of which may have taken place years ago when they were at school.

Vivienne Michael continues: "Hearing loss can make life unbearable. It cuts people off from their family and friends and makes everyday communication extremely difficult. We want people to realise that their hearing is as important as their sight and protect their ears against any potential damage.

"That is why we have joined forces with Specsavers Hearcare to further tackle hearing loss by raising awareness among the public about the causes and impact that this potentially devastating condition can have."

The survey also found that:

• 38% of 16-34 year olds are not aware that listening to loud music on a personal music player, going to loud bars/nightclubs/concert, playing loud music in the car or working with machinery, can damage their hearing.
• 28% of 16-34 year olds visit noisy bars, pubs or nightclubs once or twice a week.
• 82% of people who have experienced tinnitus after listening to loud music go to nightclubs: of these, a quarter goes once a week or more.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, noise levels exceeding 105 decibels can damage hearing if endured for more than 15 minutes, but many people are not aware how loud noise around them can be.

Chairman of Specsavers Hearcare Doug Perkins has welcomed the new research: "Specsavers revolutionised the British attitude to eyecare back in the 80s and now we plan to do the same again with our new hearing service, by working with Deafness Research UK to raise awareness of the need to protect our hearing. We are committed to improve hearing provision for all. Our aim is to make hear care more accessible for everyone by offering an affordable high street hearing service throughout the UK."

The optical giant already has 140 hearing centres in existing stores and plans to open a further 60 by the end of 2006.

For further information on hearing loss, visit the Deafness Research UK website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk. For further information on Specsavers Hearcare or to locate your nearest store, visit www.specsavers.co.uk

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[1] Telephone omnibus survey of 1000+ UK residents aged 16-60+ years, carried out 10-11 June 2006

[2] www.lhh.org/noise/decibel.htm