Safe listening depends on the intensity, or loudness of sound, and the duration and frequency of listening. According to World Health Organisation, some 1.1bn people aged 12 to 35 years are at risk of permanent hearing loss from listening to music at loud volumes over prolonged periods of time.
On this occasion, the National Lead of the National Health Strategy for Health and Well-being of People with Special Needs and Director of the Audiology and Balance Department, Dr Khalid Abdul Hadi said, "Exposure to loud sounds could result in temporary hearing loss or tinnitus, which is a ringing sensation in the ear."
"However, when the exposure is particularly loud, regular or prolonged, it can lead to permanent damage," he explains. "Safe Listening is not just for those working in noisy environments. It also applies to the child in your care along with teenagers and young adults exposed to unsafe level of sounds from use of personal audio devices and loud sounds at entertainment venues and sporting activities. They should be aware that once hearing is lost it is gone forever. Starting early with prevention techniques can only lead to better, overall hearing health leading to this year's theme 'Take care of your hearing health; enjoy it for life'."
Dr Hadi pointed out, "Many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented. Hearing loss has potentially devastating consequences for mental health, education and employment. But it is possible to enjoy good hearing across the course of life through preventive measures, especially hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds."
Dr Hadi said, 'Safe Listening' can mitigate the risk of hearing loss associated with recreational sound exposure. Some of 'Safe Listening' tips include keeping the volume at a maximum level of 60%; using carefully fitted and noise cancelling headphones; protect ears from loud sounds by wearing earplugs in noisy environments; avoiding loud sound sources, such as loudspeakers; minimising exposure to noisy activities and taking short listening breaks away from loud sounds; limiting the daily use of personal audio devices; monitoring listening levels by using smartphone apps which measure sound exposure; and using listening devices with built-in 'Safe Listening' features."
