25% of people overdo it with loud noises, hearing study shows Apple
This Wednesday, March 03rd, is the World Hearing Day and today, the Apple disclosed a study indicating an index of 25% of the sample participants exposed to a sound volume higher than that indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Apple Hearing Study is part of the app Research, developed for the user of Apple Watch or iPhone in the United States can contribute to health research
So far, in addition to the study on hearing health, studies have been carried out on women's health and heart health. The study on sound exposure and hearing condition through devices Apple is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Michigan and its data is being shared with the WHO.
Study points to a worrying result
The collected data presents a very delicate picture of people's hearing health, since the sampling is considered by those responsible on a scale never seen before. Another worrying point regarding hearing is an estimate by the WHO that, by 2050, more than 700 million people in the world will suffer profound hearing loss.
In addition to the 25% of study participants, Apple who experience an average daily environmental noise exposure higher than the limit recommended by the WHO, almost half of the users work, or have worked in a noisy environment. In other words, they are or have been exposed to vehicle traffic, machinery, public transport and other environments with this characteristic. The same rate of 50% occurs when people do not seek hearing tests from a professional in the last decade.
Regarding the use of headphones, the average weekly exposure of one in ten participants is higher than what is recommended by OMS, according to studies. About 10% of participants in the Apple Hearing Study were diagnosed with hearing loss by a professional. Of these, 75% do not use a hearing aid or cochlear implant (when an electronic device is partially implanted in the person, aiming to provide a hearing sensation close to the organic one).
Data collected through the hearing tests of the study of Apple showed that 20% of participants have hearing loss, when compared to the loss standards recorded by the WHO, and 10% have hearing loss compatible with noise exposure. In addition, 25% of people who participated in the studies of the Apple notice ringing in their ears a few times a week or more, which could be a sign of hearing problems.
Suggestions from Apple
A Apple presents some suggestions for its technology that seek to help improve the hearing health of its users, ranging from correct configuration of headphone accommodations, audio customization on iPhone, access support for the deaf community, people with hearing impairments and monitoring through apps. The Noise, from Apple Watch, for example, can activate notifications that alert you when ambient noise levels may be above ideal. Health, from the iPhone, tracks the user's history of exposure to sound levels and reports whether the environment or what the person is listening to on headphones exceeded the WHO recommended standard.
A Apple also suggests the use of Live Listen, for the AirPods, which work as a directional microphone. Also, another suggestion is the Transparency mode on the AirPod Pro or AirPods Max, which allows external sound to be heard, optimally increasing the user's perception of the environment around them.
Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. Apple Insider
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