Hearing Hazards

 

Hearing is a critical part of your child’s overall well-being. Since noise is more and more a part of everyday life, it’s a good idea to be aware of what he’s exposed to and take steps to help protect him.

Surprisingly, exposure to excessive noise is the most common cause of hearing loss – and it’s getting worse. Since 1971, the number of Americans aged three and older with hearing problems has more than doubled. Hearing loss tends to be more prevalent as kids get older, with 12.5% of children aged 6-19 having permanent damage caused by loud noises.

There’s no way to eliminate noise and no easy way to know if the noise levels around your child are potentially dangerous. You can, however, take common sense measures such as turning the television and CD player volume to a reasonable level and keeping your child away from extremely loud objects such as the lawnmower, the vacuum cleaner and firecrackers. Here are some other things you can do:

• If you take your child to a sporting event or festival, don’t sit near the loudspeakers.

• When shopping for toys, household appliances, power tools and recreational equipment, look for a noise rating and buy the quieter model, especially if it’s an item you use often or one that could be close to your child’s ears, such as a hair dryer.

• Check out your child’s toys. Some whistles, toy guns, talking dolls and musical instruments are loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage. Remember, a child’s hearing is more sensitive than an adult’s, and kids often hold toys close to their ears. Even if something doesn’t sound that loud to you, it could cause a problem.

• If your little one uses an MP3 player or computer, monitor the volume levels. One MP3 player made for toddlers, for example, can reach 120 decibels, which is considered dangerous. Computer games can also exceed 110 decibels.

• Of course, if you suspect your child has a hearing loss, talk to your pediatrician right away. Early detection and therapy may help prevent serious damage.

Source:
“Hearing Health/Preserving Hearing,” The Children’s Hearing Institute,http://www.childrenshearing.org/custom/hearing_health.html