London Doctor Issues Urgent Warning Over Gen Z's 12-Hour Daily Headphone Use
A prominent London doctor has issued a stark warning that Generation Z is risking permanent hearing damage through excessive use of in-ear headphones, with many wearing devices like AirPods for up to twelve hours daily and even sleeping with them inserted. Private GP Lavan Varathan, medical director of Gogodoc in Harley Street, reveals that hearing in young adults is declining more rapidly than in any previous generation due to this harmful practice.
Alarming Early Hearing Deterioration in Young Adults
Dr. Varathan reports that one in five Gen Z patients at his practice already displays early indicators of hearing deterioration, occurring approximately two decades sooner than typically expected. Routine health assessments increasingly uncover high-frequency hearing loss in younger adults who frequently use earbuds and other personal listening devices, which he describes as "destroying" their auditory health.
"You wake up. AirPods in. Commute, work, gym, walking, even sleep - AirPods never come out," explains Dr. Varathan, 38, from Northwood, Hillingdon. "Gen Z wears earbuds 8-12 hours daily, and their hearing is deteriorating faster than any generation in history."
While the average person typically begins losing high-frequency hearing around age 50, younger generations are experiencing this decline 10 to 20 years earlier, according to the medical expert.
The Science Behind the Damage
Dr. Varathan explains that minuscule hair-like cells in the inner ear, known as cilia, are responsible for detecting sound vibrations. "Some parts can regenerate, but the cilia cannot. If you damage those, you don't get them back," he states. "That's why repeated vibration from loud sound in earphones can be so harmful."
Research from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People reveals that 58 percent of Gen Z (aged 18-28) have suffered hearing loss, tinnitus, or both following music exposure. While it has been established that noise exceeding 85 decibels can harm hearing, Dr. Varathan cautions that even quieter sounds over lengthy periods can prove problematic.
"We've known for years that anything above 85 decibels can cause damage," he notes. "But prolonged exposure, even at lower levels, can lead to wax accumulation, ear infections and tinnitus - that ringing people get after a concert."
The Silent Progression of Hearing Damage
Between 15 and 20 percent of patients examined at Dr. Varathan's clinic demonstrate early high-frequency loss, though many remain unaware of the problem. "The difficulty is they don't notice it," he explains. "In real life you don't always need high-frequency hearing. But in a crowded room or at an event, they struggle to make out conversations."
He compares hearing deterioration to high blood pressure, describing it as a silent issue that becomes irreversible over time. "High-frequency loss can progress into middle frequencies, and then people start struggling in normal conversation," Dr. Varathan warns. "By that stage, they may need hearing aids."
Practical Protection Strategies
Dr. Varathan recommends several practical measures to protect auditory health:
- Follow the 60/60 rule: Listen at no more than 60 percent volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time, followed by a break of at least 30 minutes to let ears settle.
- Utilize noise-cancelling technology: Noise-cancelling headphones reduce outside noise, decreasing the need to turn volume up to dangerous levels.
- Maintain proper hygiene: Clean wireless earbuds at least once weekly, washing silicone tips and carefully dusting the mesh to prevent wax buildup and infection.
- Get baseline testing: Early hearing tests (available for under £50 at many providers) establish a baseline for monitoring changes over time.
Individual Vulnerability and Seeking Help
Dr. Varathan emphasizes that vulnerability varies between individuals, with some people maintaining good hearing despite years of concert attendance while others experience damage more quickly. However, he stresses that "if you're listening above 85 decibels, even 10 minutes at a time can cause damage."
The doctor encourages young people to seek help before problems become severe, noting that many postpone addressing hearing issues because deterioration happens gradually. "If you're unable to hear your partner or your kids calling you, that's a sign," he advises. "But most people won't change behaviour unless they really feel the effect."
Dr. Varathan concludes with a sobering reminder: "Hearing isn't seen as life or death, but protecting it now will reduce the need for hearing aids in the future."
