Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Starting today, the University of Antwerp will deliver its free tinnitus and hearing protection lesson program for young audiences. Educators working at second and third-grade levels of secondary education have access to this resource for their classroom use.
The University of Antwerp created a free educational package to teach students in secondary schools how to protect their hearing and prevent tinnitus. HoorLINK stands as the initiative which serves middle school students aged 14 to 18 by offering classroom-based educational programs.
The rise in tinnitus cases among young people originates from their frequent practice of wearing earphones for gaming along with listening to loud music through earphone devices, according to audiology specialist Professor Laure Jacquemin. The platform clarifies the significance of proper hearing protection methods and teaches students about permanent hearing injuries.
“We are increasingly seeing young people with tinnitus in our practice at the UZA,”
Says professor of audiology Laure Jacquemin of the University of Antwerp.
“Classically, this is caused by exposure to too much noise at parties, celebrations or discos. But in recent years, another culprit has been on the rise: gaming under headphones. Or listening to loud music with earphones.”
“They can be used in many lessons. Think of biology, but also technical subjects where hearing protection is necessary,”
Says Jacquemin.
“It is also about the impact of poor hearing on your life. We hope that students become more aware of their hearing and how they can protect it.”
Limiting the volume of your tablet or smartphone is also important.
“Don’t turn your sound up more than two-thirds of the way up the volume bar. Or set your device to always limit the volume to a safe level. Especially if you let small children listen,”
Says Jacquemin. There are also headphones that automatically limit the volume.
The problem of hearing damage in young people can hardly be underestimated and is increasing, according to the audiologists of the UZA.
“In 2012, 18% of young people suffered permanently from tinnitus . 75% indicated that they regularly heard tinnitus. That is an alarm signal that you should not ignore. Even if the noise or beeping sound disappears after a day, it is a signal from your brain that there is hearing damage,”
Concludes Jacquemin.
What is the background behind the University of Antwerp’s Tinnitus prevention initiative?
The condition of tinnitus, which causes ear ringing or buzzing, affects young adults more frequently because they frequently experience loud sounds. The extensive usage of gaming devices, together with long-term headphone adoption, has significantly worsened the traditional noise-related conditions that typically occur at concerts, parties and discos.
The research shows disturbing findings because 18% of young people showed permanent tinnitus, according to 2012 records, and 75% suffered recurrent symptoms. When hearing cells die from noise exposure, there is no way to reverse the damage, which makes prevention the most essential step.
The University of Antwerp’s HoorLINK initiative delivers cost-free educational materials to secondary school students between ages 14 and 18. The program teaches users about proper listening safety measures, which include volume restrictions regular pause times and proper ear protectors.
