UNIVERSITY students are risking a lifelong health problem by spending the equivalent of 13 full days in pubs and clubs during their first year. A poll of 500 current students and recent graduates found they partied twice a week during term-time during the first academic year. Each session lasts almost five hours and finishes at an average time of 2:30am.
In Fresher’s Week alone, students estimated they spent nearly 15 hours out on the tiles over the course of the seven days. While 12 per cent went out five or more times in the inaugural week, 30 per cent admit they didn’t give their health a second thought when they started uni. The research was commissioned by Specsavers after a separate study found 15 minutes of exposure to loud noise – 85 decibels (dB) – can lead to hearing damage.
Music venues reach up to 120 dB. Read more on university Some 46 per cent of students said they repeatedly hear a mild buzzing in their hearing when studying, which can be a sign of hearing damage. Despite this, just 14 per cent had a hearing test when they were at university, according to the study conducted via OnePoll.
Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at the hearing and vision specialists, said: “A fresher’s first year at university is an important year for them to make new friends, gain independence, life skills and build on their education. “But the research shows that students aren’t prioritising their health which can have potential implications down the line. Most read .