Why Are So Many Children Losing Their Hearing?

Doctors are reporting more and more cases of young children suffering hearing problems. Many of these patients can expect to have the hearing of a 60 year old by the age of 30. But this epidemic is not down to diseases or a virus but the rising exposure to high volumes of noise.

The rise in popularity of MP3s and personal entertainment devices is causing many children to listen to music in earphones without observing the noise guidelines, this kind of concentrated noise damages the ears, often beyond repair. Many children are often exposed to loud noises against their will, for example being taken to a music or sporting event by their parents, although their parents may have no idea that it poses a risk. Dr Martin, Professor of preventive medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland 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.”

On average, a conversation would occur at 60 decibels of sound, completely harmless to the ears, a loud concert or busy motorway could create 120dB and a jet engine or pneumatic drill can produce more than 150dB. Most people will find noises above 100dB irritating and prolonged exposure to these levels can cause severe damage. Any exposure to noises above 150dB will cause instantaneous irreversible damage. Noises at a constant low level can cause high blood pressure, stress, anxiety and insomnia.

If you stand at arms length from someone with your music on in your earphones, you should still be able to hear them talk, if you can’t, the volume is too loud. Exposure to high levels of noise may not only cause physical damage to your ears, but cause Tinnitus. Tinnitus is a dreadful affliction that creates a constant high pitched ringing noise in the ear and can often take over a person’s life. Although some cases are treatable, it usually remains present and victims are forced to suffer an unbearable ringing noise in their ear for the rest of their life.

12% of children aged 12 to 19 in America and Europe have some degree of hearing loss that is caused entirely by exposure to loud noise. Although there are laws regarding noise levels in a workplace, there are no laws about personal exposure.

Treating the rising number of cases of hearing loss is requiring hospitals to create more jobs for nurses and has called for more nursing jobs Tunbridge Wells.