Does video gaming put our hearing at risk?

Video gamers worldwide may be unknowingly putting themselves at risk of irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus

A recent study published in BMJ Public Health looked into the effects of gaming on hearing. The study suggests that sound levels in popular video games often approach or exceed safe limits, raising concerns about the potential long-term consequences for gamers’ hearing health, potentially causing hearing loss.

Conducting the study 

The review, which included 14 peer-reviewed studies from nine countries involving over 50,000 participants, highlighted the commonness of high-intensity sound levels during gaming sessions. 

With over 3 billion gamers globally in 2022, the researchers emphasised the need for greater public health efforts to raise awareness of the risks of prolonged exposure to loud gaming sounds.

Wearing headphones while gaming

Previously, attention has been given to the impact of loud music venues and headphones on hearing. Gamers often play for extended periods at high volume levels, making them more sensitive to hearing damage.

Several studies linked gaming to self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus, particularly among school pupils going to gaming centres. Some studies even estimated that over 10 million people in the USA might be exposed to ‘loud’ or ‘very loud’ sound levels from video or computer games.

Hearing loss is often gradual and unnoticed and can reduce everyday sounds, affecting communication and overall quality of life.  The potential for tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, is also concerning and, in some cases, permanent.

How to protect our hearing while gaming 

While you don’t need to stop gaming altogether, there are some steps you can take to protect your hearing while still enjoying video games. These include; 

• Lower the volume: Keep it below 85 dB, ideally using built-in volume limiters or sound apps to monitor levels.
• Take breaks: Step away from the screen every 30-60 minutes, giving your ears a chance to recover.
• Choose noise-cancelling headphones: They help reduce ambient noise, allowing you to enjoy the game’s audio without cranking up the volume.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Don’t game with loud noise in the background, as it adds to the overall sound exposure.

By adopting responsible habits, we can continue to enjoy gaming symphony without the risk of hearing loss.