News English Lessons
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A recent study shows the hearing of young people is getting worse. The report, appearing in the Journal of Adolescent Health, says there are two possible causes. One is because of the rise in popularity of personal music players like the iPods. Lead researcher professor Abbey Berg said, “just because there’s an association, it doesn’t mean cause and effect”. Other reasons include things like poor diet and environmental factors. Children from low-income families may not eat healthily, which can create hearing problems.

The report showed that between 2001 and 2008, personal music player use rose fourfold. In that same period, hearing loss increased from 12.4 per cent to 19.2 per cent. The number of teenage girls reporting a ringing or buzzing in their ears nearly tripled. Researchers claim teenagers using headphones are 80 per cent more likely to suffer from poor hearing. Dr Berg suggested careful use of headphones. She recommends an hour a day is enough and the volume should be less than 60 per cent maximum.

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