Gamers may be at risk of irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus, according to new research.
A review of global studies involving more than 50,000 people concluded that sound levels are often close to or exceed safe limits.
Experts said the risk is exacerbated by people who typically play for long periods of time, while pulsating sounds – such as gunfire – can also be very loud.
The study, published in the medical journal BMJ Public Health, was conducted by a team that includes experts from the World Health Organization and the University of South Carolina.
“Players who listen to high-intensity volume levels for extended periods of time may be at risk of permanent hearing loss caused by sound and/or tinnitus,” they warn.
The researchers said that more efforts should be made to highlight the dangers of gaming, given their popularity among children and teenagers.
They added: “The findings suggest that there may be a need to prioritize interventions, such as initiatives focused on education and awareness of gaming risks, which can help promote safe listening among gamers.”
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The study pointed out that the “tolerable” time people should be exposed to sound up to 83 decibels (dB) is 20 hours a week.
This drops to 10 hours per week for 86 dB and just 38 minutes per week for 98 dB.
For children, noise exposure levels are lower – 75 decibels for 40 hours per week.
Below this mark, children can safely listen to 83 dB sound for about 6.5 hours — and 98 dB for just 12 minutes.
However, the data showed that, on average, sound levels were often near or above this range.
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The team called for further research: “The limited experience available suggests that gaming may be a common source of unsafe listening, potentially putting many individuals around the world at risk of permanent hearing loss/tinnitus.
“More research is needed on these relationships along with steps to promote safe listening among gamers.”
How loud is too loud?
According to the hearing loss charity of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), around 12 million people in the UK are deaf or suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus.
Hearing loss can be caused by repeated or prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels, which is equivalent to the noise made by a food blender.
The RNID says safe exposure to this level of noise is up to eight hours a day.
Heavy traffic is 88dB while an air drill is 91dB and the sound at a live concert is 110dB.
An airplane taking off from a distance of approximately 100 meters produces 130 decibels.
According to the charity, 140 decibels is the sound level that causes pain for most people, but lower levels can also lead to discomfort.
The sound intensity doubles with every 3dB increase – so the safe exposure time is four hours for 88dB.
“Remember that you are exposed to many different sounds of 85 decibels or more throughout the day, and this exposure time increases,” the RNID warns.
“For sounds between 110 and 120 decibels, even a very short exposure time can cause hearing damage.”
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