Over 1 Billion Youths at Risk of Hearing Loss, Study Warns

A study in the BMJ Global Health Journal reveals that over 1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices, such as high-volume use of personal devices and exposure to loud music at live events. The research, which analyzed data from 33 studies involving over 19,000 individuals aged 12 to 34, highlights that 24% of young people listen to music at harmful volumes, while 48% are exposed to unsafe sound levels at concerts and clubs. The study urges global action to promote safer listening habits to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.