The World Health Organization released a statement Friday saying that 1.1 billion people are at risk of losing their hearing. Around half of people between the ages of 12 and 35 in high and middle income countries are at risk of damaging their hearing because of listening to music at high volumes with headphones. Another 40 percent are at risk because of attending music concerts and nightclubs that play music at unsafe volumes.

“More and more young people are exposed to unsafe levels of sounds,” said Shelley Chadha, a WHO specialist on hearing impairment. “Young people should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back.”

According to the WHO, volumes that are considered “unsafe” are sounds over 85 decibels heard for eight hours or more. 85 decibels, it should be noted, is about the noise level of everyday traffic. Nightclubs typically play music at around 100 decibels. The WHO adds that hearing noise 120 decibels or louder for even a few seconds can also cause serious hearing damage.

“As they go about their daily lives doing what they enjoy, more and more young people are placing themselves at risk of hearing loss,” said Dr Etienne Krug, WHO Director for the Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention in a statement. “They should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back. Taking simple preventive actions will allow people to continue to enjoy themselves without putting their hearing at risk.”

The WHO recommends young people listen to their personal audio devices at low volumes and with noise-cancelling headphones. Restrict use of these devices to one hour per day.

Time spent at noisy venues or performing noisy activities should be limited. If it is necessary to be exposed to high volume sounds for a prolonged period of time, were earplugs.

March 3 is International Ear Care Day. In honor of this occasion, the WHO is launching it “Make Hearing Safe” initiative to promote safe audio listening practices.