A recent investigation has brought to light the detrimental impact of listening to loud music through headphones, unveiling a concerning trend of hearing impairment or loss among individuals below the age of 35.

The study, as reported by The Telegraph, has raised alarms among experts who identify the escalating use of headphones and exposure to high-volume music as a burgeoning global health crisis.

Conducted between June and October, the study surveyed over a thousand participants aged 16 to 35, revealing that 49% of them exhibit lower-than-normal hearing levels, significantly affecting their overall quality of life. Disturbingly, a quarter of individuals within this age group are already grappling with hearing loss, while 2 out of every 5 participants face potential hearing impairment. The study found that only 40% displayed signs of actual hearing loss, leaving the status of the remaining participants undetermined.

The investigation, which assessed participants' ability to comprehend speech amidst background noise, disclosed that half of those under 35 struggle with hearing difficulties, particularly in the clarity of speech amid noisy environments. This implies that a substantial portion of the study's participants were unable to discern speech in loud or crowded settings, hindering their capacity to engage in conversations against a backdrop of noise or loud music and identify the source of sounds. (Agencies)