Published: January 20, 2026

OTO Journal Study: One in Eight Adolescents Shows Signs of Hearing Damage by Age 18

Landmark longitudinal research highlights important need for hearing protection among teens.

From the AAO-HNSF

A comprehensive new study published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery reveals alarming rates of hearing loss among adolescents, with 6.2% experiencing sensorineural hearing loss and 12.9% showing signs of probable noise-induced hearing damage by age 18. The research, part of the Generation R Study—one of the world's largest birth cohorts—followed 3,347 Dutch adolescents through standardized hearing assessments at ages 13 and 18.

Stefanie N. H. Reijers, MD"Our longitudinal study shows that while the overall prevalence of hearing loss in adolescents remains relatively stable from ages 13 to 18, the severity of both sensorineural and noise-induced hearing loss increases over time," said corresponding author Stefanie N. H. Reijers, MD, of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam. "These findings highlight the importance of early monitoring and prevention, as even mild changes in hearing during adolescence may have long-term consequences."

The study employed rigorous audiometric testing to identify hearing loss patterns characteristic of noise exposure, including distinctive "notches" in hearing thresholds—a hallmark sign of noise-induced damage. Recreational noise exposure from personal music players, gaming, and attending loud venues are known contributors to permanent hearing damage in young people.

Understanding the Risk: What Parents Need to Know

According to ENThealth.org, as many as 17% percent of teens (ages 12 to 19) already have features of their hearing that suggest NIHL in one or both ears..

Common sources of dangerous noise exposure include:

Personal listening devices: The average portable music player is played at 100 dB, and cellphones or listening devices in the U.S. can produce a maximum of 115 dB
Concerts and live music: Sound levels often exceed 85 dB, with some reports suggesting intensity may reach 90 to 122 dB
Other: Fireworks, motorcycles, and sirens can range from 95 to 150 dB

Call for Prevention and Education

The researchers emphasize several key implications for parents, educators, and policymakers:

Awareness is critical. Many adolescents may be unaware that they're damaging their hearing through everyday activities.
Prevention is possible. Unlike genetic or age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing damage is largely preventable.
Early intervention matters. Identifying at-risk young people early could prevent progression to more severe hearing loss.
Systematic monitoring needed. Regular hearing screenings during adolescence could catch problems before they worsen.

The study authors call for future research to examine specific sources of recreational noise exposure and their cumulative impact on hearing health, as well as exploration of why some adolescents appear more susceptible to hearing damage than others.

About the Study

The research was conducted as part of the Generation R Study, a large-scale prospective birth cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which follows children from fetal life into adulthood. The hearing assessments were performed between 2016-2019 (age 13) and 2020-2024 (age 18) using standardized audiometric protocols in soundproof booths.

Reference

Reijers SNH, Vroegop JL, Paping DE, Pronk M, Goedegebure A, Kremer B, van der Schroeff MP. Longitudinal Insights into Sensorineural and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Adolescents Aged 13-18 Years. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2025;00(00):1-8. doi:10.1002/ohn.70042