Does your son or daughter frequently use headphones?
Does your son or daughter frequently use headphones? Could headphones cause hearing loss in the years ahead? Although research on the effects of headphones on hearing loss is limited, we do know that loud noises can and do cause permanent hearing loss.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one out of every ten children (approximately 5.2 million) ages six to 19 already have noise-induced hearing loss. Furthermore, the World Health Organization reports that nearly half of people ages 12-35 years are “at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds, including music they listen to through personal audio devices.”
What is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
According to the CDC, “Hearing loss can result from damage to structures and/or nerve fibers in the inner ear that respond to sound. This type of hearing loss, termed ‘noise-induced hearing loss,’ is usually caused by exposure to excessively loud sounds and cannot be medically or surgically corrected. Noise-induced hearing loss can result from a one-time exposure to a very loud sound, blast, or impulse, or from listening to loud sounds over an extended period.”
The sad facts are that noise-induced hearing loss is 1) permanent and 2) preventable.
What is Too Loud?
Loudness is measured in decibels (dB). But it isn’t just the volume (decibels) that can cause hearing loss; it’s also duration.
Consider this:
- Even one close-range exposure to a 12-gauge shotgun (160 dB), a jet engine taking off (140 dB), or even an ambulance siren (120 dB) can potentially cause permanent hearing loss.
- Prolonged exposure to a live rock concert (110 dB), the maximum level on most personal listening devices (105-110 dB), or power tools (90 dB) can lead to hearing loss over time.
- Sounds lower than 70 decibels (a vacuum cleaner) are unlikely to cause hearing loss.
How Can Parents Help Prevent Hearing Loss?
Pay Attention
If you can hear what your child is listening to while they’re wearing headphones, or they’re unable to hear you speak at a normal volume while wearing their headphones, the volume is probably too high. Also, pay attention to how long your child is wearing headphones.
If you notice they have become sensitive to noise or there is a period of time that everything seems too loud to them, it could be a sign of hearing loss.
Have your child’s hearing checked at least every three years.
Manage Their Headphone Use
- Try to keep the volume level at 50%.
- Think twice about purchasing headphones designed to limit the maximum decibels because 85 dB (the industry standard) is not safe.
- Avoid consecutive noisy activities, such as loud games, music practice, and the use of headphones.
- Limit the amount of time they use headphones.
- Consider giving them noise-canceling headphones to lower outside noises.
- Make them take breaks after prolonged headphone use.
Set a Good Example
Practice what you preach. If you want your children to listen at lower volumes or for a limited amount of time, you need to set a good example.
Keep the Conversation Going
Younger children may not be able to articulate hearing problems or understand that just because a sound doesn’t hurt now means it isn’t bad for them. Tell your child to let you know if sounds seem muffled, their ears feel clogged, or they hear a weird ringing or buzzing in their ears, which could be a sign of tinnitus. They may not realize that everyone else doesn’t hear the sound. Encourage them to let you know even if the ringing or feeling stops because temporary symptoms can become permanent
Ask your child if they ever have trouble understanding what people are saying or feel left out in groups because they can’t follow the conversation. High-frequency hearing loss makes it difficult to hear high-pitched sounds, making it harder to understand what people are saying.
Free Hearing Screening
A free hearing screening at Precision Hearing Aid Center is a great place to start. We can help determine if your child currently has any hearing loss, and you can ask one of our professionals about the use of headphones. You know how it is… sometimes children need to hear it from someone other than mom or dad. Give us a call at 610-779-3205 or contact us online.