Hearing loss a major problem for teenagers and young adults

A year ago, Jiao Wenchao, 31 and a college teacher, suddenly realized that he was having hearing problems. The problem grew to such a degree that he decided to seek professional help at a local hospital in Beijing. An examination suggested that both his ears were losing the ability to hear high frequency sounds.

The doctor told him that the problem was caused by over exposure to high frequency and loud noise, including from his earphones.

Neurological hearing loss, as in Jiao's case, is usually caused by exposure to unsafe noise levels, says Pan Tao, an otologist from the Peking University Third Hospital in Beijing. His department receives around 10 patients who have neurological hearing impairment like Jiao every day.