Dear Teacher: Preventing Hearing Loss

I hear that one in five teens now suffers from hearing loss, most of which is noise-induced. What can be done to help prevent hearing loss due to noise? I know that it is hard to get through to teens, who often feel physically invincible and are more concerned with peer pressure than parental guidance.

— Worried

Shari Eberts, an advocate for hearing loss and preventing hearing loss, has the facts that you must share with your teenage children as well as all your school children. She points out that our hearing is fragile. Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when the sensory cells inside the cochlea of your inner ear are damaged. These cells are very sensitive, which allows us to hear a full range of tones, but also very delicate. When exposed to loud noise on a frequent basis, these cells weaken and eventually die, and once they do, they are gone for good. Scientists have not yet found a way to regenerate hair cells, although organizations like Hearing Health Foundation and the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss are working on it.

Your teens, especially, need to understand that prolonged exposure to any noise at or above 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss. This is the level of heavy city traffic or a school cafeteria. At 105 decibels, the maximum volume of an iPod, some hearing loss can occur within 15 minutes. At 110 decibels, the level of a rock concert or loud sporting event, damage can occur after one minute.

Teens think hearing loss is just for old folks, however, 20 percent of teens now surprisingly have some form of hearing loss. Unfortunately, hearing loss is real, and growing, and there is currently no cure. Teens, as well as younger children, definitely need to be educated about noise-induced hearing loss.

The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is entirely preventable. Teens have the power to protect their ears if they follow these simple rules so they will be able to enjoy better hearing through their entire lives. These rules, in fact, should be followed by all school children.

Turn it down. Enjoy your music, but listen at a safe level. Fifteen minutes at maximum volume on your iPod is all it takes to damage your hearing. Listening time is cumulative, so you can listen longer at lower volumes and stay safe. Try noise-canceling headphones, which block out background noise, allowing you to enjoy your music at lower volumes.
Block the noise. Wear earplugs or earmuffs at concerts or sporting events. They come in many sizes and styles. Some are even made specifically for listening to music.
Move away. The farther you are from the noise, the safer it is. Always pick a seat far away from loudspeakers and if you see a noisy construction site, cross the street.

If you want more information to convince your children of the importance of avoiding loud noises, visit “It’s a Noisy Planet” at (noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov), a website run by the National Institutes of Health. Also, there are online hearing tests that may let them get an idea of whether or not they have already experienced some hearing loss.

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com. To learn more about helping children succeed in school, visit the Dear Teacher website.