Chinese teenager temporarily loses hearing
A Chinese teenager temporarily lost his hearing after spending four hours listening closely to the loud buzzing sounds of cicadas during a camping trip. The unusual incident highlights that although natural sounds are generally considered harmless, prolonged exposure to certain sounds in nature can sometimes affect human health.
The 18-year-old teenager, identified by his surname Wang, was camping in a forest in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, when he began listening to the continuous sounds of hundreds of cicadas. The insects, which are known for their loud and distinctive calls, continued making noise for several hours.
Wang noticed that the sound of the cicadas became particularly loud around noon. Despite this, he remained in the forest until the evening. After spending several hours exposed to the loud buzzing, he began experiencing ringing in his ears. He also felt that his ears were blocked or unusually full.
As the cicadas gradually became quieter toward the evening, Wang realized that something was wrong with his hearing. He could no longer hear the sounds of birds singing around him, and he was unable to hear notification sounds from his mobile phone. Concerned that he might have suffered permanent hearing loss, he immediately went to a hospital for medical attention.
Doctors at the hospital examined both of Wang’s ears and found signs of swelling. He was given medication and advised to stay away from loud noises for at least 14 days. Fortunately, his condition improved with treatment and rest. After approximately two weeks, Wang’s hearing returned to normal.
Senior ENT specialist Dr. Li Jie from the hospital affiliated with Ningbo University No. 1 Hospital explained that many people mistakenly believe sounds produced by nature cannot harm the ears. According to him, natural sounds can also become harmful when people are exposed to them at high levels or for extended periods.
Cicadas are considered among the noisiest insects in the world. However, a single cicada normally does not pose a serious threat to human hearing because its sound rarely exceeds 70 decibels. The situation can be different when hundreds or even thousands of cicadas call at the same time.
A large group of cicadas can collectively produce sound levels exceeding 85 decibels. Exposure to sounds at or above this level for extended periods can increase the risk of hearing damage. The risk becomes greater when the exposure continues for several hours without adequate breaks.
Wang’s experience serves as a reminder that people should not assume every natural sound is automatically safe. Whether the sound comes from insects, animals, machinery, music or other sources, prolonged exposure to loud noise can place significant stress on the ears.
Experts generally recommend moving away from extremely loud environments, taking regular breaks from noise and seeking medical attention if symptoms such as persistent ringing, blocked ears or sudden hearing loss occur. In Wang’s case, timely medical treatment and avoiding loud sounds helped him recover fully.
The incident also demonstrates the importance of protecting hearing during outdoor activities. While camping and spending time in nature can be enjoyable and relaxing, people should remain aware of their surroundings and avoid prolonged exposure to unusually loud sounds.
