A passionate gamer who dedicated at least five hours daily to playing was surprised to find out his pastime had resulted in irreversible harm.
Avik Banerjee, 38, occupied his time with gaming when not fulfilling his responsibilities as a university lecturer. He would engage in popular games like Call of Duty and Fortnite, competing with other players.
Avik maintained a routine of playing video games for five to six hours each day for a staggering 15 years. His dedication even led him to clinch the top spot in a global COD tournament, earning him a reward of $44,000.
While immersed in gaming, Avik used a headset with the volume pushed to its maximum.
He recognized the sound was louder than needed, yet Avik mentioned he was unaware of any initial warnings about excessive volume when he began gaming with headphones.
Many share this lack of awareness concerning the risks associated with listening to headphones at high volumes.
A Specsavers study involving 1,000 adult gamers revealed that those who use headsets spend an average of 260 hours annually with them, with nearly a third (31 percent) noticing hearing changes after gaming sessions.
However, it wasn’t until last August that Avik became aware of the repercussions of his prolonged gaming habits. He began experiencing dizzy spells and even lost consciousness one day while heading home from work.
Fortunately, neighbors saw Avik’s plight and called an ambulance, which transported him to the hospital. There, he learned he had suffered damage in his ears, affecting his equilibrium.
The gamer explained: “My long-distance hearing has completely gone – if there’s a loud sound, or music in the distance, I can’t hear it.
“I’ve been told by doctors I might need hearing aids if it gets worse – I even have to go for hospital check-ups every two months to monitor my balance. People need to know the permanent damage computer games can cause.”
The research also discovered that 51 percent of gaming headset users set the volume too high, resulting in effects such as ringing in the ears, increased sensitivity to ordinary sounds, and ear soreness.
NHS doctor Dr. Amir Khan commented on the findings, saying, “With the biggest games of the year releasing, and Christmas fast approaching, gamers will be glued to their screens and headsets more than ever.
“Avik’s experience and the research highlights that it is very easy to get carried away and neglect your ear and eye health when immersed in a game.
“I’m glad to be able to share some simple and easy-to-do tips that will help gamers enjoy themselves without any ill-effects on their physical well-being.”
1. Lower the volume: Take breaks more frequently the louder the volume is.
2. Invest in high-quality devices: Choose better headphones or earbuds, which typically offer superior sound quality, reducing the need to crank up the volume. Consider noise-cancelling headphones to minimize background noise.
3. Use sound-limiting technology: Utilize apps or devices that keep noise levels within a healthy range by capping the maximum volume.
4. Adjust display settings: Set your screen brightness and display settings at comfortable levels to prevent eye strain.
5. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to focus on an object at least 20 feet away, helping to alleviate eye strain.
6. Schedule regular eye exams: Regular visits to your optician are essential for maintaining good eye health.