Not all hearing loss is age related. Even young people can experience permanent noise-induced hearing loss. When you’re young, you might not realize how precious good hearing is until later in life.
Every day, we experience sound in our environment, such as the sounds from television and radio, household appliances, and traffic. Normally, we hear these sounds at safe levels that do not affect our hearing. However, when we are exposed to harmful noise – sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time – sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). These sensitive structures, called hair cells, are small sensory cells that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow back.
Next time, when you go to a concert, or turn on your headsets on high volume, give it a second thought and lower it. Hearing loss usually is not reversible, once it occurs you will be stuck with it unless medical treatment is sought.
Source: NIDCD Information Clearinghouse