, /PRNewswire/ -- More than 75% of video gamers in , , and say they regularly engage in activities that can be detrimental to their hearing, according to a poll that is a collaboration of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA); the World Health Organization (WHO)/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO); and the WHO Collaborating Center for Rehabilitation in Global Health Systems at the University of Lucerne. Overall, video gamers spend an average of 15 hours playing per week. Many engage in habits that could damage their hearing, both during gameplay and while participating in other activities.
Specifically, 43% use headphones for long periods of time, and nearly 30% do so at loud volumes. Other activities that put them at risk for hearing loss from excessive noise exposure include spending time around loud music; attending concerts, sporting events, and other large gatherings; and working in noisy environments. Commissioned by ASHA and conducted by YouGov in April, respondents included nearly 1,700 video gamers ages 18–35.
covers the poll findings and compares them by country. According to video gameplay industry sources, about two-thirds of the U.S.
population plays video games. In , nearly 60% of the population does; in , about 50%. Just over one third of the polled participants said they have hearing difficulties.
The leading problems are having trouble hearing in loud environments, and experiencing ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears (called ). Of.
