According to a new survey unveiled on the occasion of International Hearing Day on Thursday March 12, around 20 million French people suffer from tinnitus, including 6 million “often”. For experts, these figures show a real public health problem.
- Hearing gene or tinnitus would affect 20 million people in France
- Problems often linked to the use of headphones
The French are much more affected by tinnitus than you might expect. According to a study conducted by experts from the JNA association on the occasion of National Hearing Day, which was held on Thursday March 12, around 20 million people in France would experience it, including 6 million “often”. Thus, 39% of the population would be affected today compared to 31% only three years ago. A worrying development that shows a real public health problem, warn specialists.
In this survey, one in two people, regardless of age, said they had difficulty following conversations in cafes, bars, restaurants, schools, shops, family meals or public transport.
Unsurprisingly, 77% of respondents indicate that noise and noise pollution have negative consequences on their mental and physical state. At the level of the body, 39% declare headaches, 36% sleep disorders and 23% arterial hypertension. Regarding the mind, many respondents mention stress (44%) and aggressiveness and nervousness (43%). Worse still, continuous noise would tend to cause hearing impairment characterized by a temporary decrease in speech understanding (40%), whistling and tinnitus (38%) and deafness (34%).
“The French are now aware of the major role of hearing on their health”
However, noise pollution would not be responsible for the decline in hearing loss in the French. The way in which their way of life evolves also matters a lot, especially in terms of wearing headphones. Thus, 78% of respondents today use headphones to listen to music or a film at home, 53% in public transport, 52% while practicing a sports activity and 49% in the street. Concerning the sound listening volume, 75% of users say they opt for a moderate volume against 25% who prefer high, especially 15-17 year olds.
“The results of the survey indicate that it is time for the public authorities to breathe new life into health: the French are now aware of the major role of hearing on their health. They are also aware of the impact of difficulties in understanding speech due to noise on their state of health. For the moment, the behavior does not change. It is on this climax that a real health policy putting hearing among the health issues would activate a ratchet effect”conclude the authors of the study.
They propose the realization of an awareness campaign by the public authorities, a dedicated application with the possibility of hearing tests, the possibility of consulting a specialist doctor via the Internet or even of creating a site dedicated to hearing which would convey information practical and regular.
One in five Europeans victim of noise pollution
At the beginning of March, a study had already alerted to the fact that one in five Europeans was a victim of noise pollution, which is dangerous for health. Pointing to road traffic as primarily responsible, the European Environment Agency (EEA) regretted the EU’s inability to meet its commitments in this area.
“The objective set for 2020 to reduce noise pollution (…) will not be achieved. It is expected to increase due to future urban growth and increased demand for mobility”noted the experts, according to whom, in most Europeans, more than half of the population would be exposed to sound levels greater than or equal to 55 decibels and therefore greater than the threshold of 53 decibels set by the WHO.
According to the researchers, “such exposure is responsible for 12,000 premature deaths and contributes to the occurrence of 48,000 new cases of ischemic heart disease (caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries) each year across Europe”. According to their estimates, 22 million people also suffer from severe chronic discomfort and 6.5 million individuals are regularly confronted with sleep disorders.
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