Teenagers are more likely than adults to show signs of hearing loss, a survey suggests.
“Survey of Teens and Adults about the Use of Personal Electronic Devices and Head Phones” is available from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The survey of more than 300 high school students and 1,000 adults age 18 and up—commissioned by the Rockville, Md.-based American Speech-Language-Hearing Association—found that 51 percent of high school students said they had experienced some signs of hearing loss, while 37 percent of adults surveyed said they had experienced the symptoms. The high school students were also more likely than the adults to report having to turn up the volume on their TVs or radios, having to say “what” or “huh” during normal conversation, and experiencing ringing in the ears.
In addition, the survey found, 78 percent of high school students, compared with 36 percent of adults, report using cellphones or portable music devices with headphones. However, the survey did not suggest use of such devices leads to hearing loss.
