The Alarming Threat Of Deafness in Gaming Fanatics
Who doesn’t like gaming? these days people are all about discovering new games and playing them on either their consoles or PCs. However, there is more to it. A recent study has shed light on the concerning phenomenon—the Threat of Deafness among players, a rapidly growing concern.
In this blog, we’ll be uncovering how the gaming industry is changing and how there is a rise in deafness cases.
Threat Of Deafness
A recent study by the WHO (World Health Organization) reported that almost 50,000 people have lost their ability to hear after playing games.
Gamers often play at high-intensity sound levels and for several hours at a time, while impulse noises and shooting are often too high.
There is a rise in cases of high intensity that can cause temporary or partial Threat Of Deafness. There are many reasons as to why there is a growing population of people who are experiencing this.
Causes Of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss during gaming can be attributed to a lot of various factors many of which are related to equipment and gaming habits. Following are some important causes of hearing loss;
1. Excessive Volume
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds and noises, whether from gaming itself or through headphones or speakers set at high volumes, can lead to no noise-induced hearing loss over time.
2. Poorly Designed Audio
Along with other major reasons, gamers usually struggle a lot with deafness and other hearing-related issues because of poorly designed audio as well.
Furthermore, sudden loud explosions or other jarring sounds can be damaging, especially when the audio is not well-regulated.
3. Extended Gaming Sessions Escalating the Threat of Deafness
Spending long hours in front of the screen without any breaks can lead to fatigue and stress in the auditory system. Regular breaks can help reduce these risks.
4. Low Quality Audio Equipment
Cheap or poorly designed can also lead to hearing loss. Moreover, poorly designed headphones or equipment can also lead to hearing loss or fatigue.
Gamers must compensate for the loud noises and must take regular breaks to avoid that from happening.
5. Ignoring Warning Signs
This has to be the most important cause and gamers must realise this.
Ignoring symptoms like ringing in ears or shrieking sounds inside of your ears can lead to hearing loss. Furthermore, ignoring symptoms or temporary hearing impairments after gaming sessions leads to or contributes to long-term hearing loss. It’s essential to pay attention to these signs and take appropriate measures to avoid them.
6. Underlying Health Conditions Intensifying the Threat of Deafness
Pre-existing health conditions, such as ear infections or disorders, escalate the threat of deafness during gaming. It’s important to address any existing health concerns and consult with a healthcare professional if needed.
Level Of Voices In Gaming
The findings have revealed that adults can endure 80 decibels (Db) for 40 hours weekly, akin to a doorbell’s noise level.
Beyond this threshold, safe exposure rapidly diminishes, with WHO suggesting only for four hours weekly at 85dB and one hour and 15 minutes at 90dB for adults.
What Needs to be Done?
There is a lot of debate on how to combat an issue like this, with that being said, there needs to be a lot of awareness in that area.
People need to understand that it’s high time they prioritize their health. Furthermore, gamers should take continuous breaks to avoid hearing loss.
Conclusion
Given the startling increase in cases of hearing damage associated with gaming, it is imperative that the growing problem of Threat of Deafness among gamers receives quick attention. The extensive gaming sessions and high-intensity sound levels that are hallmarks of the gaming culture present serious dangers to auditory health, with low-quality equipment, prolonged gaming sessions, and excessive volume among the possible causes. Pre-existing medical disorders and ignoring warning indicators, including ringing or screaming sounds in the ears, might make the issue worse. The WHO’s suggested levels for acceptable noise exposure emphasise how crucial moderation is when it comes to reducing dangers when gaming. Raising awareness and having a proactive stance towards prioritising health are necessary to address this issue, with a focus on taking regular breaks and seeking professional guidance when needed. By fostering a culture of responsible gaming practices and advocating for healthier gaming environments, we can safeguard the well-being of gamers and mitigate the Threat of Deafness in the gaming community.