Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has written a letter to his younger self warning that taking up chewing tobacco at 16 would eventually lead to mouth cancer.

With the wisdom of hindsight, what would you tell your 16 year old self? And, more pressingly, what will today’s 16 year olds one day wish they’d known?

Well, imagine the year is 2030.  You’re about 30 years old. You sit down to write yourself a letter, and this is how it goes:

To my 16 year old self,

Tomorrow night, when you go out to see that band, don’t stand so close to the speaker. And don’t let your mates yell into your ear so you can hear them above the music. And, while you’re at it, talk your dad into buying you a pair of custom ear plugs. And wear them! Let your friends laugh – laugh with them.

You won’t be laughing later when you can’t hear the punchline.

Also, you don’t need to listen to music the whole train ride, every single time you take the train. But if you must, make sure your head phones are not emitting sound loud enough for the person next to you can hear it (you know you hate it when the guy next to you is streaming Gold). 

Which reminds me, you totally didn’t hear the car coming as you crossed the road the other day, all because you were wearing headphones. That was a close call. We have five senses for a reason!  Plus, music sounds a lot better when you can actually hear it…

Never thought you’d need hearing aids at thirty, did you? 

Once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back.  

Be kind to your ears.

Love,

You.

One of the major dangers facing young people today is noise induced hearing loss, often administered by listening to music using ear buds or playing video games with a headset on. Damage can be gradual, and it’s irreversible.

Be kind to your ears, no matter your age.