Hearing loss

Video gamers at risk of irreversible hearing loss and/or tinnitus

Video gamers worldwide may be risking irreversible hearing loss and/or tinnitus – persistent ringing/buzzing in the ears according to a systematic review published in the open access journal BMJ Public Health. The researchers concluded that the sound levels reported in studies of more than 50,000 people often near, or exceed, permissible safe limits. Given the popularity of these games, greater public health efforts are needed to raise awareness of the potential risks, the researchers said.