Experts today sounded the alarm over a concerning rise in neurological issues among Gen Z – which they fear is being triggered by trendy wireless earbuds.
Noise-cancelling listening devices are said to be safer as they more effectively block out background sounds, meaning wearers are less likely to crank up the volume on music or podcasts.
Yet, NHS audiologists say they have seen referrals among young people with hearing difficulties jump significantly in just a handful of months.
On inspection, however, they discover their hearing is normal. Instead, the problem is neurological – their brain is struggling to process what it hears and differentiate sounds.
Known medically as auditory processing disorder (APD), the condition can make it very difficult to follow the dialogue in TV shows or movies where there is often a musical score or sound effects in the background.
People may also struggle to understand fast talkers or those with unfamiliar accents.
APD has long been linked to childhood brain injury, ear infection or a faulty gene.
But, experts now believe that these devices could be untraining the brain in how to naturally block out background noise.
Kim Kardashian was pictured out in LA in 2021 sporting lilac earbuds said to be the £199 wireless Beats Fit Pro
Over-the-ear listening devices are said to be safer as they more effectively block out background noise, meaning wearers are less likely to crank up the volume on music or podcasts
Renee Almeida, an adult audiology clinical lead at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: ‘There is a difference between hearing and listening. We can see that listening skills are suffering.’
Claire Benton, vice president of the British Academy of Audiology (BAA), also told the BBC that because the devices block out everyday sounds such as train noise or car beeps, the brain may ‘forget’ to filter the noises out.
‘You have almost created this false environment by wearing those headphones of only listening to what you want to listen to. You are not having to work at it,’ she said.
‘Those more complex, high-level listening skills in your brain only really finish developing towards your late teens.
‘So, if you have only been wearing noise-cancelling headphones and been in this false world for your late teens then you are slightly delaying your ability to process speech and noise.’
Some of the most popular wireless headphones are sold by Apple, with their wireless noise-cancelling AirPods retailing for £179 and pricier noise-cancelling Airpods Pro 2 for £229.
However, for people experiencing issues with sound processing in England, APD care on the NHS is limited.
The Royal National ENT and Eastman Hospital in North London is the only NHS provider in England offering a full APD assessment, with its waiting list nine months long.
Those with APD struggle to interpret spoken information when there is noise in the background. This means that subtitles can help people with the condition follow the dialogue in TV shows and movies
Health professionals say this is because the tests each take up to two hours and require additional assessments such as cognitive assessments or meetings with educational psychologists.
One 2024 UK-wide survey by BAA and ENT UK – the professional body representing ear, nose and throat surgery – also found just 4 per cent of audiologists consider themselves to be well-informed on APD.
Treatment methods vary and often involve re-exposing the ears and brain to process words against a backdrop of noise, through apps, microphones or hearing aids.
Dr Angela Alexander, audiologist and owner of APD Support, a private organisation, told the BBC: ‘What does the future look like if we don’t investigate this link?
‘There are a lot of well-meaning parents and teachers who think the answer to children having problems with noise is to wear ear plugs or having noise-cancelling headphones on.’
According to the NHS, the exact number of children APD affects is still unknown but estimates from around the world suggest between three and five per cent of children have APD to some degree.
It is often mistaken for ADHD when it presents in children since the two have several overlapping symptoms, but there are a few key distinctions.
One 2018 study found that children with APD have difficulties which are exclusively related to sound while ADHD causes more general disruptions.
For instance, people with APD find it difficult to learn songs or localise the source of a sound.
People with ADHD meanwhile may struggle with auditory tasks but also to follow written instructions.
However, since issues with auditory processing can affect attention and executive function, the two conditions can be extremely hard to separate.
