Loud music in headphones can damage young people's hearing and create tinnitus

One in four young people listens to such loud music in their headphones that it risks leading to tinnitus and hearing loss. A group of researchers is now investigating what the risks look like and which groups are listening in a dangerous way. The hope is to be able to develop guidelines that contribute to preventing hearing damage.

One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear, which convert sound waves into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. These hair cells can be damaged by various factors, but the most common is loud noises.

Many young people are exposed to loud noises by listening to music with headphones, earphones or earplugs. They often do it at too high a volume and for long periods of time. This can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus.

Other causes of tinnitus can be:

• Loud noises: Exposure to loud sounds, such as from music, traffic, machinery, tools or weapons, can damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that convert sound waves into nerve signals. When the hair cells become damaged or overloaded, they can send incorrect signals to the brain that are interpreted as sound.
• Ear wax or foreign objects: Ear wax or foreign objects stuck in the ear can block the ear canal and change the pressure in the ear. It can also irritate the eardrum or cause infections. This can lead to tinnitus or worsen existing tinnitus.
• Ear diseases or injuries: Certain diseases or injuries affecting the ear can cause tinnitus. For example, Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, acoustic neuroma, perforated eardrum or ear cartilage may have tinnitus as a symptom.
• Neck or jaw problems: Tension, inflammation, osteoarthritis or injuries in the neck or jaw can affect the nerves and muscles connected to the ear. This can cause tinnitus or worsen existing tinnitus.
• Blood pressure problems: High or low blood pressure can affect blood flow to the inner ear and brain. This can cause pulsating tinnitus that follows the heartbeat.
• Cardiovascular diseases: Certain cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, aneurysms or tumors can disrupt blood flow to the inner ear and brain. This can also cause pulsatile tinnitus.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can lead to nerve damage or poor circulation that can affect the auditory nerve or inner ear. This can cause tinnitus or worsen existing tinnitus.
• Stress, anxiety or depression: Stress, anxiety or depression can affect the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, pain and sound perception. This can make you more aware of tinnitus and more sensitive to loud sounds.
• Certain medications: Certain medications such as aspirin, antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics, or chemotherapy can have side effects that affect the auditory nerve or inner ear.

We want to change and improve!

We at Duearity want to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from tinnitus and give them hope and opportunities to enjoy life. That is why we have created a medical device that can be used at any time of the day, as tinnitus can vary greatly from person to person when it applies to treatment and relief times.

You can read more about the treatment by clicking here: Treatment with Tinearity G1 Please get in touch if you want to know more about how we at Duearity treat tinnitus: info@duearity.com

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