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Hearing Loss in Children:
A Condition that Knows No Age
It is a common misconception that hearing loss
mainly impacts the aging. While it is true that a large portion of
those over 65 experience auditory damage, nearly 7 million children
and 8 million people between the ages of 18 and 44 suffer from hearing
loss of various levels*. A recent study published in the Journal of
the American Medical Association revealed that 15% of children experience
aural impairment in one or both ears. Because this is a seminal study,
no previous data exists for comparison.
Why is Hearing Loss Dangerous for Children? The problem of hearing
loss in children is exacerbated further by the existence of excessive
noise levels in our everyday environment. Although researchers can
blame several factors, such as genetics or infections, for this phenomenon,
noise is certainly a primary concern. The League for the Hard of Hearing
compiled the following noise level readings for everyday sounds (for
comparison, normal speech levels record around 60 dBA):
- Refrigerator - 50 dBA
- Air conditioner - 50-75 dBA
- Coffee grinder - 70-80 dBA
- Doorbell - 80 dBA
- Garbage disposal - 80-95 dBA
- Baby crying - 110 dBA
- Squeaky toy held close to the ear - 110 dBA
It is commonly agreed that continued exposure to 85dB or more can
cause hearing damage.
Children who suffer from poor hearing health are exposed to a variety
of related problems, such as:
- Educational disadvantages
- Social withdrawal
- Delayed speech and language development
Causes of Hearing Loss in Children Beyond exposure to loud noises,
there are a variety of factors that may trigger hearing loss in children,
including:
- Genetics
- Ear infections
- Cigarette smoke
- Allergies
- Ototoxic medications (such as penicillin, amoxicillin, aspirin,
etc…)
Preserving our hearing is a universal responsibility - we all have
a role to play. Educate and protect our children. Hearing is a gift
that, once lost, will not return.
*According to the Better Hearing Institute.
For more information, also read Hearing Loss In Children: A Hypothetical
Example.
For a list of other
related articles on Acoustics.com, please click here.
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