Researchers from Ohio State University in Columbus have found that young adults with minor hearing loss display changes in brain activity that are normally only seen in old age.

They found early hearing loss could pave the way for dementia.

Exposure to noises above 85 decibels over a long period of time can harm hearing. Such noise includes listening music at maximum volume using headphones, sitting close to the speakers at a music concert or at the movies, and working with power tools.

Extremely loud noises over 120 decibels can cause immediate hearing loss.