Aintree hospital doctor urges teenagers to turn down personal music players

AN AINTREE hospital doctor has urged teenagers to turn their personal music players down to avoid hearing loss.Senior chief audiologist Tony Kay said he was seeing more cases of tinnitus – a hearing problem that causes constant ringing in the ears – a complaint which usually affects people in middle age.


He spoke out as part of National Tinnitus Awareness.

Mr Kay said: “In the last two years we have seen more people in their late teens and early 20s with tinnitus and this is sometimes because they are listening to personal players too loudly.

“Exposure to loud music can occur via a personal music player or at home, in the workplace or at public music concerts, pubs or nightclubs.

“There are simple steps which you can take which still enable you to enjoy music, but reduce the risk of developing tinnitus.

“If you go clubbing or attend loud gigs then think about wearing ear plugs, keep hydrated and take regular breaks away from the noise.

“If you regularly listen to music on a personal music player then you should make sure that the volume is turned down.

“Good ear-plugs and lower volumes don’t affect the fidelity of the music – but they do help safeguard your hearing. In turn, this means that you can go on enjoying music for decades longer.

“As time goes on, we’re seeing people develop tinnitus symptoms younger and younger. Noise levels in clubs can hit around 100 decibels, and anything higher than 85 can damage hearing in many people.

“People normally wouldn’t listen as loudly to personal music players, but if they turn them up to drown out background noise such as a train or bus then it can reach damaging levels.”

Mr Kay stressed that symptoms of tinnitus can be managed.

He added: “Many people assume when they develop tinnitus that nothing can be done, but actually there are a wide range of management methods.

“We hold a monthly support group, at 6pm on the first Wednesday of every month.

“Anyone who wishes to find out more should contact me on 0151 529 0328.”