Preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Kids

Preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Kids

 

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent and irreversible hearing loss that is the result of “a one-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as noise generated in a woodworking shop” (NIDCD). Hearing loss is no longer a problem affecting only the elderly. Noise induced hearing loss can affect people of all ages, including children and teenagers.

 

In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that about 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to the increased use of personal hearing devices. While scary, noise induced hearing loss is also preventable. It’s important to teach our children positive hearing habits early in their lives to help ensure a lifetime of healthy hearing.

 

Collectively, what can we do as a community to protect the hearing of our children?

 

Educate Kids Through the “Listen to Your Buds” Campaign

 

The American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) understands the growing concern of early onset noise induced hearing loss – and is taking action to solve it.

 

The “Listen to your Buds” concert series brings award-winning musicians to elementary schools in an attempt to educate children and parents about the risks of noise induced hearing loss and teach healthy hearing habits. One of the main topics covered in this series is how to listen to and enjoy music through personal audio devices, without inadvertently damaging your hearing. This knowledge is necessary, because based on recent public polling, the vast majority of children now use these devices, and do so while using ear buds.

 

It is important to “get the safe listening message to younger children before they start to develop the bad habits with technology—like cranking the volume for hours on end… let’s start talking to them earlier—when our messages may make even more of an impact,” says Joy Peterson, Au.D., CCC-A in an interview about the Buds campaign with the Philadelphia news source, philly.com. To read the full story, and interview, click here: philly.com.

 

 

Take Action at Home: Babies and Young Children

 

If your baby is between the ages of birth and 6 months, reach out to your OB to inquire if a routine hearing screen was conducted at birth. If not, get one scheduled right away. If corrected within 6 months, most infants with hearing impairment are developing at an equal rate to their peers both socially and academically by the time they reach kindergarten.

 

We are all exposed to noises throughout our daily lives, so it may be difficult to determine which sounds are damaging to our children’s hearing. For young children – the culprit is typically their noisy toys. Although this might be difficult to teach to curious toddlers, encouraging your children to play with their noisy toys away from their ears can protect their hearing. You can also turn the volume down or off on toys periodically to create listening breaks for your young one’s ears.

 

For a list of popular toys and their dBA levels, visit parents.com to see how your child’s favorites rank.

 

Take Action at Home: Older Children and Teens

 

Does grandpa wear hearing aids? Ask a family member or close friend with hearing loss to talk to your older children and teenagers about life with impaired hearing, and why it is important to protect their hearing now. Helping your kids make the connection between their actions now and their possible future may help them buy into protecting their hearing.

 

There are also multiple apps you can download for free that rate dBA levels in a given space. Set a daily decibel level for your kids. The lower the volume on their music, TV or video games, the longer their allowed screen time. You can bet your kids will turn the volume down if it means they get to watch one more episode of their favorite show! For more tips on teaching teens about healthy hearing click here: noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov

 

Does my Child Have Noise Induced Hearing Loss?

 

If you’re asking yourself this question, it is imperative you take your child for a hearing screen. These screens are quick and completely painless. If your child does have a hearing loss, it is important to intervene quickly with solutions such as speech therapy or the prescriptions of hearing aids. Reach out to us at Desert Valley Audiology to schedule a hearing screen for your child today.

 


 

 

Desert Valley Audiology

Current locations in Las Vegas and Henderson

(702) 605-9133

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