Ten Things to Know About Your Child and Hearing Loss by Susan Dunn, Personal and Professional Development Coach

In 2000, 5.2 million 6-19 year old had hearing loss directly related to noise exposure [3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, reported on Dangerous Decibels ( http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/ ).

According to a study done by Montgomery and Fujukawa in 1992, “Over the last 10 years, the percentage of 2nd graders with hearing loss has increased 2.8 times; hearing loss in 8th graders has increased over 4 times.”

No one knows exactly what level damages a child’s ears, but the Noise Center’s Rule of Thumb is: IF YOU HAVE TO SHOUT TO BE HEARD THREE FEET AWAY, THE NOISE IS TOO LOUD AND IS DAMAGING TO YOUR HEARING.

For what you can do, go here: http://www.topten.org/public/BQ/BQ173.html .

1. “Noise poses a serious threat to children's hearing, health, learning and behavior," says the NoiseCenter.

They suggest offering your child peace and quiet.

2. Younger ears are not stronger than older ears.

Children’s ear canals are shorter than adults, and damage more easily.

3. Check out the toys your child plays with.

Talk with your pediatrician. A study conducted by the Henry Ford Health System found that many current toys, including tape recorders, bike horns, cap guns, and toy telephones, are not safe for your child’s hearing. Of the 25 they tested, more than half made sounds higher than 115 dBs. According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, at 110 dB, the maximum undamaging exposure time is one minute and 29 seconds.

4. Prevention is crucial because noise-induced hearing loss can’t be corrected.

A loud enough noise can cause instant, permanent, irreversible damage, some noises can cause damage if heard long enough, and there is also a cumulative effect over time.

5. A noisy squeeze toy is rated 135 decibels (dB) by the League for the Hard of Hearing.

Check out their website for more information - http://www.lhh.org/noise/decibel.htm .

6. Noise levels above 85 dB will harm hearing over time and noise levels above 140dB can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure. Source - http://www.lhh.org/noise/decibel.htm .

Here’s a list of sounds:

· 0 dB The softest sound a person can hear with normal hearing aka “hearing threshold”

· 10 dB normal breathing

· 20 dB whispering at 5 feet, broadcasting studio, rustling leaves

· 30 dB soft whisper, library

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BIO:

©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . I offer coaching, distance learning courses, and ebooks around emotional intelligence. Free ezine, Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc. Daily tips, send blank email to EQ4U-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . I train and certify EQ coaches. Call 210-496-0678.

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