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Prolonged exposure to loud music can lead to hearing loss among young people, say experts
 HEARING loss is a condition that does not afflict just the elderly. Younger people are increasingly experiencing premature hearing loss due to the exposure to loud noise.
It is a worrying trend that Professor Low Wong-Kein, director of the Centre for Hearing and Ear Implants at the Singapore General Hospital, has observed in recent times.
He says that a study done among National Servicemen revealed a hearing loss prevalence of almost 40 in 1,000 individuals, especially those with frequent exposure to loud noise.
Hearing care centres in Singapore have also made similar observations.
“Most of our patients are either baby boomers or 60 plus, but the number of younger patients seeking our services and products is rising,” says Mr Helder Araujo, regional manager of Bay Audiology (Singapore).
 Mr Winston Oh, general manager (left), Beltone Singapore, says: “There could be more young people with hearing loss but not many are considering purchasing hearing aids because they could be unaware of their hearing conditions or have chosen to ignore the symptoms of hearing loss.
“I frequently see teenagers enjoying loud music through their earphones, totally oblivious to the fact that they are damaging their hearing.
“Hearing loss can occur due to prolonged exposure to moderately loud noise.”
Mr Peter Zachskorn, an audiologist at Digi-Sound Hearing Care Centre says that noise may come from involuntary exposure at work to, for example, noisy engines, or it could be due to exposure to loud music at concerts or discotheques.
He adds that more than one hour a day of listening to music at a high volume over a period of five years may result in permanent hearing damage.
Prof Low says hearing damage is irreversible, but using hearing devices can help people with hearing loss.
“A person is born with a finite number of cochlear hair cells with no significant regenerative ability.
“Hence, noise-induced hearing loss, once established, is permanent. Therefore, the key is in prevention.”
 He advises avoiding excessively loud noise over prolonged periods of time.
The hearing care centres here offer a wide variety of hearing aids, which are discreet and meet high levels of amplifications.
“As there is no particular hearing aid brand in the market that suits everybody, we help our patients select an appropriate model, depending on their preference, degree of hearing loss and the shape of the ear,” says Mr Zachskorn from Digi-Sound.The company supplies leading brands like Siemens, Phonak and Oticon.
When a patient is fitted with a hearing aid, he will be asked to return to the centre after two weeks to finetune the device according to his feedback.
Beltone Singapore’s hearing aids are patented and available in several designs.
“Our discreet, yet effective, hearing aid options also encourage new hearing aid users to address their hearing needs since they no longer have to worry about their hearing aids being visible,” says Mr Oh.
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