Tinnitus cases among young people double in 15 years, warns hearing association

The number of young Danes suffering from tinnitus has doubled over the past 15 years, with one in ten now affected by the condition, according to a report by Danish public broadcaster DR. The Danish Hearing Association (Høreforeningen) warns that excessive noise from headphones—used for music, videos, and gaming—is a major contributing factor, with potentially severe consequences for quality of life.

The condition, also known as “ringing in the ears,” can lead to social withdrawal, concentration difficulties, irritability, and sleep disturbances, said Majbritt Garbul Tobberup, chair of the Hearing Association. “You might avoid social situations because it becomes exhausting to hear over the tinnitus,” she told DR’s P1 Orientering program. “The lack of sleep it causes can really impact well-being.”

Tobberup urged those experiencing persistent tinnitus to seek professional help, noting that treatments such as sound masking, therapy, or hearing aids may help. While some cases resolve over time, others can last for years. “It’s not common to have it for a lifetime, but many experience it in a severely disruptive way,” she said.

The association has launched a campaign targeting young people, encouraging “five minutes of silence” to rest their ears after prolonged noise exposure. A Spotify playlist featuring five minutes of total silence has been created as part of the initiative. “Ears need rest after long exposure to sound,” Tobberup emphasized. “Turning down the volume is crucial.”

Personal struggle with lifelong impact
Nadja Winckler, now 33, developed tinnitus at age 22 after waking up with ear pain. Doctors initially dismissed it as temporary, but 11 years later, she still lives with the condition. “At first, even normal sounds felt like a needle in my ear,” she recalled. Fear of loud noises—like microphone feedback—made her avoid going out.

Winckler, now a primary school teacher, wishes she had known more about prevention. “There’s not enough awareness of how damaging this can be for the rest of your life,” she said. “If I’d known, I’d have used earplugs at concerts. Now I teach my own kids to protect their hearing.”

The Hearing Association’s campaign aims to educate young people on safe listening habits, stressing that prolonged exposure to loud noises—even through headphones—can have permanent consequences.