JOIN USLike always, the rebellious and casual nature of youth has landed them in another complication. And this time again, its due to their love for latest technology which is directly affecting their health.
According to doctors, they are now seeing a rise in patients - read youngsters - whose hearing is being severely impacted because of the long hours spent hooked to headsets of mobile phones.
So, for youth who think that fancy earphones are a safer option, as compared to talking directly on their cells when they make their way through traffic jams and rides in the Metro, they couldn’t be more mistaken.
A lot of youngsters are plugged in all the while, either listening to music, talking to somebody or playing games. Hearing loss – ranging from mild to partial due to excessive usage of gadgets is on the increase, says Lalit Mohar Parasar, an ENT specialist in Asian Institute of Medical Science.
“We have had instances of boys dying on railway tracks as they could not hear the noise of an oncoming train because earphones were plugged in. This is only an example of how addicted the youngsters to earphones. Being plugged in constantly decreases the attention span and concentration levels.”
Parasar blames the callous nature of the youth for their own troubles. “They hardly get regular check-ups done. It is only when they experience any problem do they go and consult a doctor. ”
Hearing loud music for several hours a day is leading to hearing loss too. “Using earphones for more than one-two hours everyday is harmful for the ears in the long run. And anything more than 45 decibels is also harmful for ears especially if it is being heard through the earphones.”
With hi-end music devices which have longer lasting batteries, people are stuck to their music players and mobile phones for longer periods. The problem goes a step further. Often the youngsters listen to their music at such levels that even the person sitting next to them can hear it clearly. But, the youth don’t seem to be bothered by this at all.
Janabi Roy, a IIIrd year Physics student from Delhi University, says that until the volume is really high, she does not enjoy her favourite songs. “I have an I-Phone which has excellent sound quality and I am always hooked on to it. I love listening to music, playing games on it and talking to friends, using my headphones.”
Most young people today cannot imagine life without their mobile phones and I-Pods. Loud music is not a part of life but life itself.
And, for music fans, it just isn’t loud enough. “I am a huge metal fan. I love the growling voice of singers and so always need high volume whenever I am listening to their numbers” says Nikhil Dasan, a youngsters pursuing hotel management.
Meanwhile, specialists share that ear, nose and throat are very sensitive areas and one should never take any risks with them, in order to avoid any permanent damage. But is anyone listening?