One Billion children at risk of hearing loss
Valley Children’s Healthcare has seen an increase in the number of hearing loss in children. Research suggests more than one billion teenagers and children are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practises.
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). A whisper is 30 dB, a normal conversation is 60-70 dB and watching a movie at the cinemas is around 85 dB. Dr. Dan Duran confirms you cannot be around this level of noise for more than a couple of hours.
100 dB, according to Dr. Dan Duran is therefore deemed unsafe. This is the level of noise heard at a concert or a nightclub. “After 14 minutes, permanent damage can happen. Once you get up to 110 dB, damage can happen in only two minutes”.
Dr. Duran has suggested that children are using devices that are noisier, for example, earbuds. He added that individuals will know if they are listening to something too loud if a ‘ringing’ sound is experienced in the ear, at which point some damage to the hearing has already occurred.
Hearing loss of this nature is referred to as Noise-induced hearing loss, which is not treatable but can be avoided by keeping the volume low on the phone and not staying too long in a noisy place. If hearing gets worse, a device would be needed to help aid hearing.
Audiologist, Dr. Amy Sarow advises “The best way to prevent the volume from exceeding a safe level is by limiting the device’s maximum output through the phone settings or avoiding turning the volume up past 70% of the full volume”.
Further reading
Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus: frequently asked questions – Oakwood Solicitors
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Rabina Khaleeq is a Paralegal in the Industrial Disease Department. Before joining the firm, Rabina worked at Direct Line Group for 8 years as a Claims Handler predominantly dealing with Road Traffic …
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