Hearing loss following unsafe listening practices in children, teenagers and young adults: an underestimated public health threat?

Hearing loss following unsafe listening practices is a rapidly increasing condition for children, teenagers and young adults. Exposed subjects, their parents, involved professionals and legislators often underestimate the related risks. Many sound sources of common use, such as ear- phones and loudspeakers, can produce decibel levels that may result in permanent hearing damage if not used care- fully. Recently, the World Health Organization released a document stating that 1.1 billion young people, worldwide, could be at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices; of these, about 50% of teenagers and young adults between 12 and 35 years in middle- and high-income countries could be exposed to unsafe levels of noise following the use of personal audio devices and 40% may be exposed to potentially damaging sound levels during social leisure activities.