The World Health Organization has warned that years of sustained exposure to loud audio during adolescence may leave an entire generation vulnerable to long-term hearing problems.
Several experts, according to reporting by TV 2, note that many teenagers may already be developing early signs of damage without noticing any symptoms.
A viral trend highlights a broader pattern
Scrolling through TikTok this week, the stream of brightly colored Spotify Wrapped posts is nearly impossible to miss.
Each annual release offers users detailed breakdowns of their listening habits, which, because they are so easily shareable, quickly become cultural moments.
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TV 2’s coverage points out that these disclosures also reveal how many hours young people spend with headphones on, a habit that aligns with broader global trends showing rising daily audio consumption among teens.
Volume is the real risk
According to interviews conducted by TV 2, researchers stress that the danger rarely lies in listening time alone.
Jesper Hvass Schmidt, clinical professor of audiology at the University of Southern Denmark, suggested that volume levels are far more decisive, with consistently loud settings posing the highest risk.
Dorte Hammershøi, professor of sound and hearing at Aalborg University, added that users of devices such as the iPhone can review their average sound levels through built-in health apps.
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That is a practical way to see whether they remain within recommended limits.
WHO guidelines generally advise keeping exposure below roughly 85 decibels for extended listening, a limit easily exceeded by modern headphones.
For this reason, experts urge young listeners to take breaks, reduce volume, and use hearing protection at concerts or other loud events.
Sources: TV 2, and The World Health Organization.
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