One in three Brits will experience tinnitus in their lifetime – and 35% of sufferers believe that listening to too much loud music in their younger years caused the hearing condition for them.
More than four in five adults (82%) over the age of 40, with impaired hearing, say they took their hearing for granted, with 22% feeling they overdid it at gigs, festivals, and raves in their heyday.
And 61% even remember experiencing ringing in their ears after a gig – one of the early warning signs of tinnitus.
Almost two in five (38%) blamed simply getting older for their hearing loss, while 29% said ear infections and built-up earwax was a cause.
But almost half (48%), of the 1,000 adults polled, wish they could turn back time and protect their hearing from an earlier age – with 45% claiming they would be more mindful of how it can be damaged in loud environments.
The research was commissioned by Specsavers for Tinnitus Week – with data from Tinnitus UK predicting that as many as 22.9 million people across the UK will suffer from the condition.
It aims to educate Brits on signs of the common hearing condition that can sound like ringing, humming, or buzzing in the ear.
Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers, said: “You should always consider how you can protect your hearing before heading into noisy environments.
“Listening to loud sounds without appropriate protection can cause long-term damage to your hearing – especially for younger adults and children, who are much more sensitive to sound.
“Hearing protection and ear plugs can be helpful, as can regular breaks away from the noise. Avoid standing in front of speakers, too, and exercise caution when wearing headphones.
“To stay safe, never listen to music above 60% volume, and try to give your ears regular breaks from headphones.”
Those polled also cited working in noisy environments such as factories, clubs, or construction (29%) for their current hearing issues.
Sadly, 51% of those with reported tinnitus claim it is severe – and, of these, 27% are affected on a daily basis, as they struggle to concentrate (44%), sleep (42%), and listen to music (30%).
Caroline Savage, interim chief executive of Tinnitus UK, said: “This Tinnitus Week, we’re highlighting to people that noise exposure is the single biggest preventable cause of tinnitus, and reminding them to look after their ears.
“If you’re doing something that’s loud, even for a couple of minutes, use hearing protection. That way you can carry on enjoying your favourite activity – whether that’s DIY or dancing, motorbiking or music.
“We want protecting your ears to be second nature – the same way we belt up when we get in the car, or put on sunscreen when we’re outdoors.”
Of the parents who were surveyed, 62% are worried their children will also suffer from hearing difficulties if precautions are not taken now.
As a result, two-thirds are proactively warning their children of the dangers of overexposing their ears, so they don’t suffer the same way later in life.
More than half (53%) try to warn them by explaining the hearing issues they face, while 47% give them guidance on volume limits, and 31% turn their music and TV volume down.
But the research, carried out via OnePoll, found that, despite their best efforts, one in five said their children ignore their warnings.
Gordon Harrison, at Specsavers, added: “It’s great to see parents educating their kids on hearing difficulties and the potential risks involved when exposed to loud sounds such as live music, headphones, or noisy working environments.
“Our hearing is incredibly important and can bring us so much joy, particularly when listening to music – but it must be done safely to ensure your hearing remains protected.”
