Avik Banerjee, a university lecturer and avid gamer, has suffered permanent hearing and balance issues after years of playing video games with his headset volume set to the maximum. Banerjee, who spent up to five hours daily gaming on titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite, experienced dizziness and eventually collapsed, leading to a hospital visit where doctors discovered damage to his inner ear. His condition has since affected his long-distance hearing and in-ear balance, and doctors warned that he may eventually require hearing aids if symptoms worsen.
A recent Specsavers study highlighted the risks associated with prolonged headset use, finding that 51% of gamers set their volume too high, leading to issues like ringing in the ears and increased sound sensitivity. NHS doctor Dr. Amir Khan commented that Banerjee’s case shows how easily gamers can neglect their hearing health when immersed in games.
Dr. Khan offered tips for gamers to protect their hearing, such as lowering the volume, taking regular breaks, using noise-canceling headphones, and considering sound-limiting technology. Banerjee, now more aware of the risks, advises other gamers to avoid the same mistakes and be mindful of their hearing and health.
