Trivia Question #3: What communication disability affects 1 in 9 Americans of ALL ages? Answer: Hearing Loss
How much do you know about… noise-induced hearing loss?
Every time you go to a concert or sports arena, mow your lawn, shoot a gun or blow dry your hair you can lose hearing and it is not reversible. But there are ways to prevent further hearing loss. You can protect your hearing with ear protection and get regular hearing screening. Newer data tells us that untreated hearing loss can contribute to loneliness, depression, and dementia. Worried about your hearing or your parents’ or friend’s hearing? Ask your doctor how to get tested and learn how to manage your hearing health.
What about my child’s ears? What should I know?
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when children are exposed to excessively loud noise. It can occur over time (such as repeatedly listening to headphones at high volume), or after one extremely loud event (such as standing next to fireworks launch site). This type of hearing loss is preventable, but once it occurs, it’s irreversible.
Summer brings many loud activities, including sporting events, concerts, parades, and more. Protect your child’s hearing by:
- Bringing ear protection to loud events. Younger children should use well-fitting earmuffs, while older children can use earplugs. These can be picked up at most drugstores or purchased online.
- Using a sound level meter app on your phone to monitor the volume. 85 decibels is considered safe for (a maximum of) 8 hours. Keep in mind that many sporting and music events, and even everyday places, can be louder than 85 decibels. The louder the noise level, the less time you should be spending in that location.
- Keeping your distance from noise sources such as a speaker or stage. Stay at least 500 feet away.
- Leaving if it gets too loud, or anyone is feeling pain or hearing ringing in their ears. If pain or other symptoms continue, visit an audiologist for an evaluation.
Regina Zappi, AuD, CCC-A, is Associate Director of Audiology Practices at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Lastly, I’ll leave you with this trivia question until next week!
Trivia Questions #4: What specific area inside early elementary classrooms nearly disappeared from 1998 to 2010?
