Noise

Editor: We make it a point to raise the alarm about noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) on a regular basis, especially as we see it affecting people at ever-younger ages. This article from the House Ear Institute (HEI) presents some disturbing information regarding the prevalence of NIHL among our youngsters. Our thanks to HEI for permission to share this article with you.

For more information on hearing, hearing loss, or HEI, point your browser to http://www.hei.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Noisy Toys, Personal Stereos May Put Your Child at Risk for Hearing Loss

Noisy toys and blaring personal stereos may be more than just a holiday shopping regret for many parents this year. Experts say the toy cell phones that fascinate toddlers and portable stereos that brand your teens as "cool" may be causing permanent damage to their hearing by delivering potentially deafening decibel levels to their ears. Coupled with a busy season of loud blockbuster movies and computer games targeted to young people, our youth are surrounded by increasing risk factors for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) -- a common, but preventable form of injury.

More than 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous sound levels on a regular basis, and an estimated 10 million already have hearing loss from noise (http://www.nidcd.nih.gov). The National Center for Environmental Health conducted a study of noise-induced hearing threshold shifts (NITS) among U.S. children and found that 14.9 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 19 years have hearing loss in one or both ears. The NITS study suggests that children are being exposed to excessive amounts of hazardous levels of noise, and that their hearing is vulnerable to these exposures.

How loud is too loud? According to guidelines established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control, regular or prolonged exposure to noises at or above 85 dB (decibels) can pose a hearing risk. As a further point of reference, for every 3 decibel (dB) increase, actual acoustic energy doubles - significantly decreasing the length of time your ears can safely withstand exposure to the sound pressure level.

"In general, if you have to raise your voice to be heard, the environment is too loud for your ears," says researcher Sig Soli, Ph.D, House Ear Institute. "And the louder the sound, the less time it takes before your hearing will be affected. Just 15 minutes at a rock concert can subject you to 100 decibels or more of damaging sound -- the maximum duration of exposure for that sound level. Cranking up the volume too high on a stereo or headset can pose a similar risk."

In an increasingly noisy world with an array of noisy activities, gadgets and digital electronics to entice them, noise-induced hearing loss among our youth has become a growing health concern. Another study of NIHL in children, conducted by the League for the Hard of Hearing in 1996, found that 10 percent of ninth graders failed a hearing screening and that these students had never before been identified as having hearing difficulties. Furthermore, their teachers reported that these students exhibited learning and behavior problems in class.

Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable, but once it happens, the hearing loss is permanent. Parents should encourage children to wear hearing protection (ear plugs or ear muffs) in noisy environments, and can set a good example by turning down the volume levels of all household noise sources, and wearing hearing protection when you mow the lawn, vacuum the house, blow dry your hair or operate power tools. These activities expose you and your family to sound levels ranging from 80 to 95 decibels.

Consumers can measure the sound output levels of potential noisemakers in their environment with the help of a digital docemeter (sound level meter), available at many electronic retail stores for approximately $75.00. While the Consumer Products Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov) indicates they do not currently have specific decibel regulations that address the loudness of toys, parents should be aware that some squeaky toys, play phones and musical toys have been measured at 100 to 130 decibels. Advise kids to follow these tips for hearing conservation: avoid loud noises at or in excess of 85 decibels, lower volume levels on your stereo, and wear earplugs in noisy environments like concerts (100 to 120 dB), movie theatres (80 to 100 dB) and sports stadiums (80 to 100 dB).

"Concerned parents can protect their younger children's sensitive ears by choosing quieter toys or lowering the volume on noisy toys by taping over speakers or removing batteries," says James D. Boswell, CEO, House Ear Institute. "You can help your older children save their hearing by teaching them that loud noise is a potential health danger. If you buy them an MP3 player or a noisy computer game, take the time to demonstrate the safe sound level limits to protect their ears from permanent damage."

For more information on hearing and hearing loss, visit the House Ear Institute (HEI) Web site at http://www.hei.org or call (213) 483-4431 and ask about the Institute's Sound Partners hearing conservation program.

Content Courtesy of the House Ear Institute.