Portable audio players are everyday accessories for many of
today's kids, from preschoolers to teens, who plug in their
headphones and jam to their favorite tunes whenever and wherever
they can.
But a lot of kids are turning the volume up way too high, which
can take a huge toll on their hearing. In fact, more than 5 million
6- to 19-year-olds have noise-induced hearing loss, often simply
because they don't keep their music's volume to a
minimum.
That's why the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) has
started a public awareness campaign, "Turn It to the
Left," to help kids realize that they're putting their
hearing on the line when they crank up music too loud. Luckily,
though, noise-induced hearing loss, especially in kids and teens,
is a problem that can easily be prevented.
Say What?
Kids need to be able to hear their very best in order to develop
and use their speech, social, learning, and listening skills. Even
a mild or partial hearing loss can affect a child's ability to
speak and understand language.
Temporary hearing loss can happen after kids have been exposed
to loud noise for any period of time. They also may experience
ringing in the ears (called tinnitus) and/or a feeling of their
ears being "full."
With temporary hearing loss, hearing frequently returns to
normal. But kids can suffer permanent hearing loss when they're
exposed to loud noise (like blaring music, especially through
headphones) daily or over a long period of time. That's an
enormous price to pay for enjoying some good tunes.
On top of listening to loud music, the AAA says other common
culprits of hearing loss include:
- lawn mowers
- farm equipment
- power tools (like chainsaws)
- sporting events
- band or shop classes
- motorbikes
- arcades
- concerts
- movie theaters
- firearms
- firecrackers
Even certain toys can hurt kids' hearing. In fact, the noise
of some rattles, squeaky toys, and musical or electronic toys can
be as loud as a car horn - even louder if a child holds it directly
to the ears - and can contribute to hearing damage.
What This Means to You
According to the AAA, there's one surefire way to gauge if
your kids are being exposed to potentially damaging noise - if you
or they have to shout to be heard from 3 feet away, that's far
too loud.
So, here are some things the organization says you can do to
help protect your children's ears:
- Make sure they turn down the volume whenever they listen to
music, especially while wearing headphones or riding in the
car.
- Buy portable media or music players with "volume
limiters" (they may come with the device or can be bought
separately).
- Encourage your kids to give their ears a rest once in a while
if they don headphones all the time.
- Have them wear ear protection (earplugs or earmuffs) when
using machinery - like in metal or wood shop at school, or while
mowing the lawn.
- Ask them to consider wearing earplugs at concerts, especially
if they're sitting anywhere near the stage or speakers.
They'll still be able to hear the music - it just won't
be as deafening. And they don't need to worry about their
image - most earplugs are so tiny that no one will even notice
they're there.
- Turn on toys to check out their volume. If you hold it up to
your ears and it hurts, don't buy it. If it's already in
your kids' toy bin, take out the batteries and/or put tape
over the speakers, says the U.S. PIRG, the federation of state
Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs).
- Emphasize the importance of moving away from any noise
that's uncomfortable.
And even kids who seem to have normal hearing should be
evaluated regularly at checkups throughout their lives. In addition
to newborn hearing screening, which is standard in most states,
kids usually get hearing tests again at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12,
15, and 18 years old - and at other times if there's a
concern.
Of course talk to the doctor if, at any time, your kids show
some of these common signs of hearing problems:
- difficulty hearing in general (other people's speech may
sound muffled or be hard to understand)
- temporary difficulty hearing after experiencing loud
noises
- speech development doesn't seem right or speech is tough
to understand
- ringing in the ears
For kids of all ages, taking these precautions can prevent
hearing damage or stop it from getting worse.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: February 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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