Attention all gamers, button mashers, and virtual adventurers: the battle for your hearing health has levelled up, and it’s time to equip yourself with some auditory armour. You might have thought your biggest threat was an overpowered boss or a lagging connection, but the real danger could be lurking in the soundwaves of your favourite digital realms.
In a world where researchers have long wagged their fingers at concert-goers for subjecting their ears to sonic assaults, a new player has entered the arena: video games. Yes, you heard that right (pun intended). According to a study published in the British Medical Journal of Public Health, those endless hours of digital domination might be doing more damage than you bargained for.
The study surveyed nearly 54,000 gamers of all ages from around the globe, revealing some ear-opening findings. The cacophony of virtual gunshots, revving engines, and bombastic soundtracks isn’t just part of the immersive experience; it’s a potential hazard to your auditory well-being.
Dr Lauren Dillard, audiologist extraordinaire and the brains behind this study, sounded the alarm bells (pun intended, again) about the risks involved. “Those who game regularly are more likely to experience tinnitus, measured high-frequency hearing loss, and self-perceived difficulties hearing,” she cautioned. In other words, your ears might be taking a beating without you even realising it.
But fear not, fellow gamers, for all hope is not lost in the 8-bit abyss. Just as you strategise your in-game battles, you can also take steps to safeguard your precious hearing. Dr De Wet Swanepoel, a speech-language pathology and audiology professor, emphasised the importance of acknowledging this “often-ignored issue of sound-induced hearing loss among the youth, particularly in relation to gaming.“
What’s the magic number?
So, what’s the magic number to keep your ears from going the way of the Dodo? The World Health Organization (WHO) states the safe sound threshold is 80 decibels over a 40-hour workweek. That’s equivalent to the din of rush-hour traffic or the roar of a gas-powered lawnmower. Anything louder, and you’re treading into dangerous territory.
But here’s the catch: the louder the sound, the shorter the duration of safe exposure. It’s like a high-stakes game of volume roulette. Your permissible playtime gets cut in half for every 3 decibels above the safe limit. It’s a delicate dance between decibels and duration; your ears are the dancefloor.
Take a deep breath before you start selling off your prized loot in a panic. There are ways to level the playing field and keep your auditory adventurers safe and sound. Dr Janet Choi, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, suggests using smartphone features or handy apps like hearWHO to monitor your sound exposure. Think of it as your own sound meter, watching your auditory landscape.
The key to safe gaming
When it comes to in-game audio, moderation is key. Dr Swanepoel advises keeping the volume comfortable—no more than 60 per cent of the maximum. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where you can still hear the epic soundtrack of your digital escapades without risking a real-life “Game Over” for your hearing.
But perhaps the most crucial tip of all? Take breaks. Yes, we know that pausing your quest to save the kingdom might feel like sacrilege, but trust us. Your ears will thank you for the respite, and you’ll return to the game refreshed and ready to tackle whatever challenges await.
So, as you embark on your next virtual odyssey, remember: the sound of victory is best enjoyed when it doesn’t come at the expense of your hearing health. So crank down the volume, take regular breaks, and fine-tune your ears for any warning signs of trouble. After all, in the grand quest of life, preserving the richness of sound is the ultimate achievement.
