Sound Advice: Protecting a Teen’s Hearing
You may worry about your parents hearing, but it’s your children’s ears that may be more at risk.
Since hearing loss is gradual, most people aren’t aware of it until it’s too late. What’s too loud? Prolonged exposure to noise over 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss. As the noise increases, the time needed to do damage decreases. A rock concert – over 110 decibels- can damage your ears after 30 minutes.
Here are some advices that can help protect your hearing:
- Find a safe level on the CD or mp3 player’s volume control and mark it for your teen.
- Buy ear plugs for concerts and dances. If they think that’s not cool, tell them nearly all musicians, such as Metallica band members, wear them.
- Stuffing tissue in their ears doesn’t protect against damage. It only muffles the sound.
- Tell them to stay away from the speakers, and to go outside every half hour to five their ear a break.
- If their ears are ringing after an event , that’s a sign of damage.
- If you’re concerned about your teen’s listening habits, have their hearing checked.