Kids Suffering More Hearing Loss Due to Booming Music

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05 Nov 2007, 6:45 am

Kids And Health: Don't pump up that volume!
First the iPod, then the hearing aid
By DR.ROBERT NOHLE
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

The saying "If it's too loud, you're too old" is really misleading. As we age, we all suffer some hearing loss, so our adult hearing isn't as sensitive as the normal grade-schooler's. If you are listening to music at what you think is a "normal" level, chances are it sounds much louder to your child. You need to be careful when playing music in the car or exposing your child to loud noises, such as concerts or sports events.

Of course, the newer threat to damaging hearing is the iPod and other MP3 players. Music players with headphones have existed for a long time, but usage by younger children these days seems commonplace.

With the holidays soon approaching, your child might have an MP3 player at the top of a wish list. If your child will be getting one, or already has one, it's important to understand a few things to ensure your child isn't in need of a new device -- a hearing aid -- by the time he or she hits middle age!

Most hearing problems can be attributed to long-term exposure to loud noises. An article in the journal Pediatrics estimated that 12.5 percent of children ages 6 to 19 have noise-induced hearing loss.

Hearing loss accumulates over a lifespan and is irreversible. It's important that your child understands the importance of not cranking up the volume. Setting firm guidelines for safe use, especially if you can do so right up front, can help your child play by the rules:


Ensure that the MP3 is a model that has preset volume limits. This makes the job much easier for us parents.


Have your child bring in his player at his next doctor visit and ask the doctor to show what would be a safe volume.


If you can hear your child's player while she has headphones on, it's too loud.


Enact the 60/60 rule. Hearing experts are recommending a "60/60" rule, meaning limit iPods and the like to 60 percent of maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes a day.


Don't use earbud type headphones, which send sound directly into the ear. Instead use the older style "muff type" headphones that rest on the ear. An even better choice, though more expensive, may be noise canceling type headphones, which eliminate background noise and provide quality sound at lower volumes.


If your child has "ringing in the ears," that the body's way of telling him that the sounds were too loud.


Have your child's hearing checked at every well child visit.

In addition to preventing hearing damage, it's important to address other possible issues caused by being "plugged in." Go over other safety rules with your child. It just makes good sense to ban players for situations and activities where your child needs all his senses and must avoid distractions. It isn't safe to wear the headphones while riding a bike or walking in traffic. Your child needs to be able to hear everything to fully concentrate on the task at hand. You also want to ensure that MP3 player use, especially those equipped with games or video, isn't sucking your child into even more sedentary activities when he or she could be getting out and moving.

Lastly, and this goes more to health of the family and your child's relationship with you: Don't let player use get in the way of talking with your kids. Lots of great conversations can take place in those idle moments in the car on the way to the dentist or gymnastics. Don't sacrifice that time by letting your child zone out on the latest from the Jonas Brothers or Hannah Montana. Pull the plug and ask your child tell you about his or her day.

Dr. Robert Nohle is chief of pediatrics for Seattle-based Group Health Cooperative. His column runs the first Monday of every month. Have a question or comment for Dr. Nohle? Contact him at [email protected].


http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/33 ... hle05.html


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