A new hearing study that was done by Ghent University in Belgium has found that listening to even 1 hour of music on personal music players like the Apple iPod can cause long term hearing loss. According to the study, this is because your hearing has a temporary change in sensitivity making you think the music isn’t as loud as what it actually is.

The study involved two groups of people of similar age where one group was exposed to varying volumes of rock and pop music for periods of at least an hour. The second  control group,  did not listen to music at all during the study.  Both groups underwent hearing tests before and after the study in which the group exposed to the music was found to show signs of hearing loss.

Research shows that a significant number of people who use personal music devices, tend to have the volume too loud reaching more than 85db which is loud enough over time to cause permanent hearing loss. This is a real concern considering the huge demand of these devices particularly in younger generations.

A Senate Committee has recommended that additional noise safety regulations be created, specifically around recreational noise, and about time too. With the current pace and noise at live concerts and music venues, hearing loss will be rife, for those affected later in life. The Senate has found that 1/6 Australians suffer some degree of hearing loss and that could rise to 1/4 by the year 2050. The most common of these causes are age, and yes, loud music.

The most common cause of non age related hearing loss per the Senate findings were as a result of ongoing exposure to loud noise, and that this exposure occurred from personal music players (for example an Ipod or similar) and from from music venues. Remember the ringing in your ears after the last time you were in a loud pub.

If the Senate recommendations are adopted, music venues may have to provide warning signs about the sound levels of their music and hand out ear plugs to patrons for their own protection. Or, I guess just play the music a little softer. To ensure national hearing care targeted at young people, alos handing out ear plugs.

The Senate Committee estimated the cost of this hearing loss to Australia in heath care costs and lost wages to be $11 billion.

If you are concerned about your hearing, try our free online hearing test.

You can read the original article on the ABC website.