Children’s Hearing Loss Becomes Epidemic

Written By: Jon hunter on May 23, 2010 No Comment

Experts have noted that hearing loss is becoming more common in children; they predict these children will have the hearing capacity of a 60 year old by the age of 30. This spate is not down to diseases or a virus but the rising exposure to high volumes of noise.

Young children often listen to their music or play video games with the volume at the maximum level; this damages the ears, often beyond repair. Research also suggests that children are being taken by their parents to sporting or music events which expose them to volumes only suitable for more mature ears. Professor of preventive medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Dr Martin, said, “If a sound reaches 85 decibels and over an extended period, it can permanently damage hearing. The safe level for an iPod is 80 per cent on the volume slider. If you listen to music at that level, you can safely listen for 90 minutes a day.”

There is a simple way to measure if the volume in your headphones is unsafe, stand at arms length from someone and if you are unable to hear them talk, it is too loud. Sound levels can physically damage your ears but also can lead to an affliction called Tinnitus. Tinnitus is a debilitating condition that causes a permanent ringing noise in the ear and can ruin the lives of its sufferers. It can sometimes be treated but in most cases cannot be cured and victims are forced to suffer an unbearable ringing noise in their ear for the rest of their life.

In decibels, a normal conversation would generate 60dB, a loud concert or busy construction site may go as loud as 120dB and a jet engine or pneumatic drill can generate 150dB. Noises this loud are instantly painful and exposure to noises above 150dB will cause instant permanent damage. Even at a relatively low level, constant noise can cause high blood pressure, stress, anxiety and insomnia.

12% of children under the age of 19 in America and Europe have some level of hearing loss completely attributed to exposure to loud noise. There are laws against noise levels in a workplace but nothing to control individuals exposing themselves to loud music.

Many people have suffered hearing damage as a result of being exposed to high volumes against their will. Most of these people are entitled to hearing loss compensation or a claim of some sort.