According to the current review, players play for extended periods of time with the volume turned up above safe levels.

According to the report, this could lead to irreversible hearing loss or tinnitus, which is a continual ringing in the ears.

The report, published in BMJ Public Health, examined 14 trials that involved over 50,000 people.

The researchers advocate for increased public health measures to raise awareness of gaming hazards, similar to what has been done for live music and headphones.

Of course, gamers may dial down the volume while playing to reduce the danger, but the study implies that part of the problem is the amount of time they are exposed to high volumes.

For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that individuals can safely be exposed to 80 decibels (dB) for 40 hours per week, which is roughly the noise level of a doorbell.