According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) collection of data from middle and high-income countries, nearly 50 per cent of young people aged 12-35 are exposed to unsafe levels of sound from the use of audio devices and 40 per cent are exposed to damaging levels of sound at entertainment venues.

Mr Honeysett, who records musicians at Orange’s Dotted Eight Studio, said normal speaking volume was about 60 decibels and volume doubled every 10 decibels.

He said rates of overexposure from loud music did not surprise him.

“I’ve got a decibel reader and I make sure I mix at safe levels, at 70 decibels,” he said.

“Every 45 minutes or so, I give my ears a rest. I’ll go for a coffee or clean the studio so I’m not hearing sound all the time.”

Mr Honeysett said music shops stocked specialised ear plugs, which limited exposure in loud venues, but maintained clarity.

“When I was younger and playing drums, I definitely underestimated [the risk] because it’s an acoustic instrument and everyone does it, but you’re going to have a short career if you can’t hear the music,” he said.

Dr Etienne Krug from the WHO Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention said young people enjoying their everyday lives may not be aware they were putting themselves at risk.

“They should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back,” she said.

Dr Krug said people should not expose themselves to 85-decibel levels for more than eight hours, or 100 decibels, typical of most entertainment venues, for more than 15 minutes.

The WHO recommends keeping the volume down on personal audio devices, taking short listening breaks and wearing earplugs when visiting noisy venues.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au