Sometimes you forget about your own body when you’re gaming. The ears in particular are at risk in the heat of battle. (mtrlin, Vladimir Voronin/Adobe Stock)
Anyone who likes to play shooters has probably experienced this before: so that you can be the first to hear your opponents’ footsteps, you turn up the sound. Loud enough to give yourself a small advantage at best.
At some point shots ring out and there are explosions. The quiet waiting turns into loud noise. Unfortunately, our hearing does not always escape unscathed. At least one comes to this conclusion Study dated January 16, 2024, in which the results of 14 studies were evaluated.
Our ears can actually be damaged if we’re not careful. This means a risk of tinnitus or, in the worst case, hearing loss. But first things first.
The duration and intensity are crucial
Important: The authors of the meta-study state that further follow-up studies are necessary for a more precise conclusion about loudness during gaming (and tinnitus or hearing loss). Not all studies analyzed are ultimately linked by the researchers to the result.
This is what the study includes: The number of participants in all evaluated studies was according to Science Alert a total of 50,000 people and takes into account a variety of gaming environments – sometimes:
- Desktop-PCs
- Mobile Games
- Consoles
- eSports
- Arcades/gaming cafes
The results: In their study, the researchers came to the conclusion that the average measured sound level of video games is almost or completely above the permissible limits.
In five of the 14 studies evaluated A connection between gaming and hearing loss or tinnitus was explicitly examined. Four of these five studies were even able to determine significant connections.
What does that mean specifically? The results of one of the studies examined found that the average noise level from headphones for four shooters was between 88.5 and 91.2 dB.
Sea WHO Adults can be exposed to noise levels of 80 dB (about the volume of a lawnmower or doorbell) for 40 hours per week. This value increases 90 dB on, this time window is reduced significantly – to just 4 hours!
By the way: If you want to find out more about the dangers of environmental noise, you can follow this link. The PDF summarizes the WHO guidelines and explains what damage to health can occur.
So who is particularly at risk when gambling?
The researchers are not only talking about gamers with headsets who play shooters for a long time – but the above figures from one of the analyzed studies (between 88.5 and 91.2 dB average for shooters) still speak for themselves.
The study authors note, as described at the beginning, that there are no further studies to determine this with final precision. But the scientists are not concerned with an authoritarian you-must-under-no-case approach, but rather with a pedagogical you-should-pay attention.
The results suggest that it may be necessary to prioritize actions such as: B. Initiatives that focus on education and awareness of the potential risks of gaming, which can help promote safe hearing among gamers.
It’s about creating awareness about gamer health. This not only applies to eSports athletes who are exposed to this long-term stress, but also to us and our evening gaming sessions.
The healthy bottom: According to Science Alert, there is also good news for all mobile gamers. Perhaps this won’t surprise most people, but according to studies, the volume of mobile games is around 43.2 dB – the risk of hearing damage is lowest here.
Simple tricks (without a dB meter) to protect your hearing
If you like to use a headset, you should always keep the volume lower than with free speakers on the table. It is important to deal with the volume in a healthy way – according to the WHO, it can get louder in the short term, as described above.
Die BBC recommends a general system setting of 50 percent. Also, according to the BBC article, it is advisable to take a short break of 5 minutes every hour and give your ears one breather
to treat.
If you game in a loud environment (e.g. gaming cafes), you should consider a noise-cancelling headset. By the way, we always try to find good deals for you here.
How many of you know what volume he or she actually plays at? Did you know that you should stay in the 80 dB range at best? Do you have any other ideas on how you can quickly check how loud your headset is currently set? Do you think that measuring with volume apps can be useful? Feel free to write us your ideas and health tips in the comments and exchange ideas.
