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Video gamers worldwide may be risking permanent hearing loss or persistent ringing in their ears, according to a systematic global review of all the available evidence.
The analysis suggests that the sound levels reported in studies of more than 50,000 gamers often near, or exceed, permissible safe limits. And given the popularity of video games globally, greater public health efforts are needed to raise awareness of the potential risks, researchers have urged.
While headphones, earbuds, and music venues have been recognised as sources of potentially unsafe sound levels, little attention has been paid to the potential risk of video games on hearing loss, the researchers from the University of South Carolina and the World Health Organization said.
Gamers often play at high-intensity sound levels and for several hours at a time, the review found. Estimates indicate that there were more than 3 billion gamers worldwide in 2022.
www.theguardian.com
The analysis suggests that the sound levels reported in studies of more than 50,000 gamers often near, or exceed, permissible safe limits. And given the popularity of video games globally, greater public health efforts are needed to raise awareness of the potential risks, researchers have urged.
While headphones, earbuds, and music venues have been recognised as sources of potentially unsafe sound levels, little attention has been paid to the potential risk of video games on hearing loss, the researchers from the University of South Carolina and the World Health Organization said.
Gamers often play at high-intensity sound levels and for several hours at a time, the review found. Estimates indicate that there were more than 3 billion gamers worldwide in 2022.
Video gamers risking permanent hearing loss after exceeding permissible safe limits
Researchers urge greater public awareness of potential risks of excessive sound levels
