Noise-cancelling headphones are being blamed for a surge in neurological disorders among young people, according to experts. The condition, known as auditory processing disorder (APD), affects the brain’s ability to decipher sounds and differentiate them from background noise.
British Academy of Audiology Vice President Claire Benton warns that wearing noise-cancelling headphones can create a “false environment” for listening, where the brain only focuses on desired sounds and misses out on developing essential skills. These skills only mature in late teens, making it harder for young people to process speech and noise in social situations.
As a result, increasing numbers of young people are being referred to experts with hearing issues that turn out to be neurological rather than physical. This can lead to difficulties in maintaining conversations and understanding instructions in professional or academic settings.
Experts stress the importance of exposing the brain to various sounds to help it filter through important and unimportant sounds. While APD has been linked to childhood injuries, ear infections, or genetic conditions, the rise in this condition is leading experts to point to noise-cancelling headphones as a contributing factor for Gen Z.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14404347/gadget-making-deaf-volume-experts-warn.html