Teens who listen to loud music at risk of early hearing loss, study suggests

Parents who find themselves batting against technology for their teen’s attention may have some new ammunition, as a new study reports that more than a quarter of those exposed to loud music already reported early hearing damage.

The study, published Monday in the journal Scientific Reports, focused on the occurrence of tinnitus, or ringing sound in the ears, in students ages 11 to 17. The group included 170 adolescents that attended the same school in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Students were polled on their listening habits, how often they were exposed to noisy environments and whether they had experienced tinnitus. Students were also given a hearing assessment inside an acoustic chamber, OregonLive.com reported.