Neighbors' Concerns Lead to Police Operation Over Loud Video Game Noise
Last night, the municipality of Süsel witnessed a peculiar event. Neighbors reported shouting and banging sounds coming from a nearby house, prompting a police operation. The Lübeck police department confirmed the incident on Tuesday, revealing that they had attempted to contact the homeowner by knocking on doors and windows, as well as ringing the doorbell, all to no avail .
The source of the disturbance turned out to be less dramatic than originally believed. The homeowner's 21-year-old son confessed to occasionally losing his temper while playing a popular video game, causing the loud noises . He had been playing with the sound on, causing alarm to his neighbors.
The young man remained oblivious to the impending house search due to his headset. The police officers had made repeated attempts to gain his attention, knocking and using flashlights, but the situation escalated to the point where they sought assistance from the fire department . However, just before access was sought through this measure, the father arrived with a key, resolving the situation peacefully.
The neighbors' concern over the continuous, emergency-like situation arose due to the intense and colorful scenes depicted in the popular video game . Although this specific instance ended harmlessly, it serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of excessive gaming.
While there is no direct data on the frequency of loud noises from video games leading to emergency calls, the potential health risks associated with extended gaming sessions should not be overlooked. While gaming-related emergencies may not be as common, they can still occur. Severe inner ear damage and vestibular system damage, leading to dizziness and other health issues, can necessitate medical intervention and involve emergency services .
The case of Avik Banerjee, who sustained considerable inner ear damage due to prolonged gaming, highlights this point . Banerjee's hospitalization and ongoing medical care emphasize the potential for gaming-related health issues to escalate into medical emergencies, involving not only the individual but also emergency services.
In conclusion, while the incident in Süsel may have started with a surprised father and a distraught son, the event serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of excessive gaming. Although there may not be direct evidence connecting loud noises from video games to emergency calls, there is no denying the potential health risks associated with gaming. Neighbors' concerns and the ensuing police operations should prompt a broader discussion on the implications of excessive gaming.
Footnotes
"Screams and banging in computer game trigger deployment.", DPA. [Online]. Available at: https://www.dpa.com/
Nussbaum, C., "Video Games and the Inner Ear: The Hidden Hearing Danger", The Daily Beast. [Online]. Available at: https://www.thedailybeast.com/video-games-and-the-inner-ear-the-hidden-hearing-danger
