Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Question: “I am 25 and have been diagnosed with hearing loss from ‘noise in my city’ and from ‘my own choices,’ according to my doctor. I’m worried that my 15-year-old brother will lose his hearing too. Will this happen to him?”

Answer: We are saddened to learn of your situation, but encouraged by your concern for your younger brother. You are to be commended. The care you’re showing is admirable. Your experience, though painful, can help protect him from the same fate. Millions of people around the world are “silently” facing noise-related hearing problems, and your voice can make a real difference—not only in your family but also in your community.

Here are some facts you may be unaware of. Noise-induced hearing loss happens when loud sounds damage tiny hair cells inside the inner ear. These cells help us hear and understand speech, but once they are harmed, they cannot grow back. This makes noise-induced hearing loss permanent—but also entirely preventable. And the truth is, noise is a global enemy. Such cities as New York, Lagos, Manila, Mumbai, London, and São Paulo all deal with constant traffic, construction, machinery, and crowds that often reach unsafe sound levels. About 1.1 billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss from unsafe listening habits, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). When you add such personal choices as loud headphones, concerts, gaming headsets, or noisy work environments, the danger grows.

The sad news is that your hearing loss cannot be reversed; the good news is that your brother’s story can be different. He does not have to lose his hearing—not if he protects his ears now. Noise-induced hearing loss does not run in families. It is not inherited the way hair color or height might be. It happens because of what we are exposed to and the choices we make. Your brother is at risk only if he repeats the patterns that caused damage to you or is subjected to similar or additional risk factors. A harsh reality is that even sounds at the level of heavy traffic (typically above 85 decibels) can cause harm over time. Headphones at high volume can reach 100 to 110 decibels—loud enough to cause damage in minutes.

Many teens do not understand this risk. It is rarely discussed, and the damage is slow and painless. They may notice ringing in the ears, trouble hearing in crowded places, or muffled hearing after loud events, but pay no attention to these early warning signs.

Constant noise can raise stress levels, disturb sleep, strain the heart, weaken focus, and wear down emotional strength.

Young people around the world face different risks depending on where they live. In large cities the danger comes from constant environmental noise. In resource-rich countries the greatest risk comes from recreational noise—concerts, clubs, earbuds, sports events. In rural areas loud tools and farming equipment can be just as damaging. But wherever a person lives, prevention works the same way.

Even in some of our church worship services and our combined meetings in large venues, unhealthily loud sound levels are often sustained for long periods. We should all take note and keep the volume healthy!

Your role as an older brother is important. You can share your story honestly—not to scare him, but to help him understand what is at stake. Explain how hearing loss affects your daily life and why you wish you had known more when you were his age. This kind of guidance often means more than anything a doctor or teacher could say. You can encourage safer listening habits, model them yourself, and help him avoid the mistakes you now regret.

If it is possible where you live, helping him get a baseline hearing test at age 15 could be advantageous. Many losses develop slowly, and knowing his starting point allows you both to catch problems early. If testing is hard to access, smartphone apps like the WHO’s hearWHO[*] offer basic screenings in many languages and regions.

Prevention is straightforward. Whether someone lives in a busy city, a quiet town, or a rural village, the most powerful tools are the same. To make these steps easy to remember, here are some practical actions that can help you protect your hearing for life.

Protecting Your Hearing—What Really Works

• Keep volume low on phones, music devices, and headphones.

• Follow the 60/60 rule: 60 percent volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

• Move away from loud sounds from speakers, traffic, and machines when possible.

• Use earplugs or earmuffs at concerts, in noisy workplaces, or when using noisy machines.

• Take regular “sound breaks” during the day.

• Create quiet times at home for rest and sleep.

• Watch for such warning signs as ringing or muffled hearing.

Beyond potential hearing loss, we want to warn you about something else important: noise harms far more than just the ears. People all over the world live with noise they cannot escape—busy streets, shared housing, loud markets, workshops, or neighborhoods that never sleep. Many do not have the option of moving to a quieter place. Yet the body still reacts, day after day. Constant noise can raise stress levels, disturb sleep, strain the heart, weaken focus, and wear down emotional strength. Even when hearing seems normal, the rest of the body may be fighting a silent battle. Knowing this can help you protect your well-being, even when silence is hard to find.

Noise—The Hidden Enemy of Health (Worldwide)

Across cities, villages, and crowded neighborhoods around the world, many people live with noise they cannot avoid. Even without hearing loss, constant noise can silently harm the body through:

• Stress and tension

• Broken sleep, leaving the body tired and unrefreshed

• Difficulty concentrating, hurting school and work performance

• Irritability and emotional strain

• Lower mood and mental fatigue

• Heartbeat and blood pressure changes

• Social withdrawal

People do not need perfect quiet; even small moments of calm help the body recover. Protecting your ears—and finding pockets of peace wherever possible—protects your whole health.

If your family finds comfort in biblical wisdom, there is a gentle idea that fits well here. Proverbs reminds us to seek wisdom and make careful choices, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11 encourages us to “build each other up” (NIV). Caring for your hearing honors these teachings without condemnation. It shows love, responsibility, and the desire to safeguard the gifts God has given.

[*] hearWHO is a free app developed by the World Health Organization for mobile devices. It allows persons 16 years old and older to check their own hearing. The app is designed to reach individuals who are at risk of hearing loss or who already experience symptoms.