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Deafness threat of millennium fun
Millennium clubbers could be at risk of deafness |
A charity says that pub and clubgoing over the extended Millennium holiday could seriously damage your hearing.
Defeating Deafness claims that extended licensing hours could mean young mean exposing themselves to high noise levels for up to two days.
Vivienne Michael: 'serious concern' |
Ear experts believe that prolonged noise levels in excess of 85 decibels can cause hearing damage.
Defeating Deafness says that clubs, and many pubs, cinemas and even some restaurants can top 100 decibels.
Its chief executive Vivienne Michael told the BBC: "Our experts are really very genuinely concerned about this problem.
"It's not just the question of the level of noise, but it's a question of how long you are exposed to the noise."
She said that anyone experiencing a ringing in the ears following a visit to a club had certainly been damaged, although not necessarily permanently.
"It is your body's way of warning you you really should give your ears a rest."
Inner ear damage
Loud noise wrecks hearing by damaging the delicate mechanisms of the inner ear that convert sound information into nerve signals.
DJ Phil Benedictus has permanent tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, following a career in nightclubs.
Phil Benedictus has permanently damaged hearing |
"Certainly I would advise people to take a break from the dance floor."
A recent survey showed that eight out of ten young clubgoers were unconcerned about potential damage to their hearing.
Of these, 60% admitted suffering some sort of hearing problem after going to clubs
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03 Aug 99 | Health |
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Loud music threat to the young |
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18 Feb 99 | Health |
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Deaf 'let down by GPs' |
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23 Jun 99 | Health |
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In a dark, silent world |
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Royal National Institute for the Deaf |
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American Tinnitus Association |
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Advice on hearing protection |
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