Is your child’s music too loud?

According to a study, 60% of young people in Ireland are listening to music at dangerously loud levels.

 

The national survey, conducted by DeafHear.ie, found that six out of ten students are listening to music at levels that could be damaging their hearing. Volumes should not exceed 85dB but the findings showed that kids are listening to music at levels over 100dB.

 

According to experts, more than 15 minutes of exposure to sounds at this level every day will cause permanent and irreparable damage to their hearing.

 

Parents are being warned that kids who wear in-ear earphones are four times more likely to suffer damage than those who wear headphones.

 

Brendan Lennon, head of information at DeafHear.ie, says that it is safe to listen to music on headphones at volumes up to 85dB but “with each additional decibel you should be limiting the length of time you listen on the device. For instance, at 91dB anything more than two hours a day will cause permanent damage.” 

 

Lennon recommends that parents buy headphones rather than earphones for their kids this Christmas as “this is the most effective step to protect your child’s hearing.”