Video Games Risk Irreversible Hearing Loss, Scientists Warn
Topline
Gamers could be at risk of permanent noise-induced hearing loss and other hearing problems, scientists warned on Tuesday, urging officials to minimize health risks for gamers amid growing interest in esports and a staggering global surge in video game popularity in recent years.
Video games could damage hearing, researchers warn.
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Key Facts
Gamers could be risking irreversible hearing loss or tinnitus—a persistent ringing, humming or buzzing in the ears—by exposing themselves to potentially unsafe sound levels, according to a study by hearing experts at the World Health Organization and several universities published in the journal BMJ Public Health.
The researchers said average sound levels for video games often exceeded, or nearly exceeded, permissible limits for sound exposure, based on a systematic review of 14 peer reviewed studies.
The studies, which covered nearly 54,000 people from nine countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australasia, were varied in scope and purpose and indicated higher levels of self-reported hearing loss among gamers, an increased risk of severe tinnitus and high-frequency hearing loss among students who visit video game centers and gaming headphones reaching potentially “unsafe listening levels.”
Average sound exposure measurements do not necessarily capture shorter bursts of noise, the researchers cautioned, with one study finding short impulse sounds like bursts or shots reaching as high as 119 decibels, well above permissible limits of around 100 dB for children.
While acknowledging that research on the subject is very limited, the researchers said the data highlights gaming as a potential “source of unsafe listening” and points to a need for policymakers and health officials to develop education programs and build awareness to “help promote safe listening.”
There is also an urgent need for more research on the matter, the researchers said, noting that just two of the studies published in the last year objectively measured average sound levels from games or at gaming centers and pointing to the rapid uptick in gamers in recent years and the surging popularity of esports.
Tangent
The average gamer plays video games for three hours a week, according to research cited in the paper. The researchers said that frequent gamers—many of whom probably play far more than the average time—are probably exceeding permissible sound exposure limits and therefore “engaging in unsafe listening practices.” This could be putting “them at risk for developing permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus,” the researchers concluded.
Key Background
The video game industry grew rapidly during the Covid-19 pandemic. With many people eschewing physical social contact amid lockdowns and social distancing, millions of players turned to computers, mobiles and games consoles to socialize and ease boredom. While video games—and in extension, gamers—have long been viewed suspiciously as a niche activity that can trigger social isolation, violent tendencies and cognitive wasting, there is little solid research to back these views up. In fact, more recent research indicates games don’t appear to have an impact on wellbeing and the World Health Organization touted them as a “surprising ally” for mental health, acknowledging that they have “become an integral part of audiovisual culture” with the potential for positive mental health impact. Data on the number of players and value of the industry also dispel notions of gaming as a niche enterprise. Research suggests the industry was worth some $220 billion in 2022. It is expected to continue its upward climb, attracting more players and revenues expected to exceed $320 billion a year by 2026.
Big Number
3 billion. That’s how many video game players there were worldwide in 2022, according to research cited in the report. This figure, already more than a third of the global population, is expected to keep growing in coming years.
Further Reading
Playing video games has no effect on wellbeing, study finds (Guardian)
