Today’s post is sponsored by Puro Sound, a startup aiming to eliminate Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in children and teens. NIHL is a very real problem affecting more and more families. It makes sense when you think about it- with escalating electronic and headphone use, more kids are exposed and length of exposure is increasing as well. Noise Induced Hearing Loss statistics show that it is a growing problem that can be prevented.
What Is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
First I’d like to touch on exactly what Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is and that is much as it sounds- in short, hearing loss caused by noise. It is a a form of hearing loss that develops when the mechanisms of the inner ear are damaged by exposure to harmful sound levels.
“NIHL can be immediate or it can take a long time to be noticeable. It can be temporary or permanent, and it can affect one ear or both ears. Even if you can’t tell that you are damaging your hearing, you could have trouble hearing in the future, such as not being able to understand other people when they talk, especially on the phone or in a noisy room. Regardless of how it might affect you, one thing is certain: noise-induced hearing loss is something you can prevent.” –NIDCD.NIH.gov
I still remember when I was little and my grandmother told me that listening to music too loud could cause hearing loss. I was very surprised. Well, it seems that word just isn’t getting out or that other’s suffer from surprise and disbelief too. The fact is, however, the emergence of noise induced hearing loss is a major public health concern.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss Statistics
According to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, one in five American teens suffer from some form of hearing loss, and that has risen significantly even from 1994 when that rate was roughly one in eight. They also confirm that most of these youth suffer from bilateral high-frequency hearing loss, which is often caused by noise exposure.
An estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years (approximately 5.2 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise. [Pediatrics 2001;108:40–43.]
An estimated 17% of adults aged 20–69 years (approximately 26 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise. [National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders]
How To Prevent NIHL
Dave Russell is all too familiar with the fact that Noise Induced Hearing Loss is a real problem. His own daughter was diagnosed with Noise Induced Hearing Loss. That is why he founded Puro Sound with the mission to eliminate Noise Induced Hearing Loss in children and teens. His daughter’s doctors told them that the likely cause of her NIHL was listening to headphones too loud for too long. But as a parent, he knew that it was hard for a parent to know what was too loud. He did his research and employed audiologists and audio engineers. They produced high quality headphones with a volume limiting mechanism. This is a great way to keep adolescents and teens in the under 85 decibel safe listening zone.
Genius, right?! As a parent myself, I was aware of the dangers of headphone use. However, I was also unsure how to limit the volume since the headphones don’t mark the decible output. Since much of this rise in teen hearing loss is attributed to Noise Induced Hearing Loss and it is preventable, this is a major break through! Now the challenge is getting the word out. I hope you will share this article with others who have kids and let them know about Noise Induced Hearing Loss and its increasing prevalence.
How can hearing loss be prevented?
- Use lower volume when listening to music on headphones or ear buds. The highest volume setting on headphones is too loud and can lead to hearing loss. (JAMA Network) Use Puro Sound Labs Volume Limited Headphones so you don’t have to guess what “too loud” is.
- Wear foam earplugs when going to loud concerts. (Especially when you will be near the speakers!!)
- If engaging in loud recreational activities, such as riding on a snowmobile or hunting, use earmuffs.
Puro Sound Coupon Code:
You can learn more about Puro Sound Labs Volume Limited Headphones at purosound.com.
If you’d like to buy a pair use promo code FAMILYFOCUS to get 15% off any purchase.
You may also like to read my Puro headphones review.
Did you find these noise induced hearing loss statistics surprising? Do your children have headphones? Have you ever wondered, “How loud is too loud?”
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Angela Roberts says
This is so important. I wear foam earplugs where I work out because the music is unbearable. My husband came and tested it (it’s an exercise dance class) and said it’s dangerously high. The people I work out with go three times a week for years same place. I’m sure they don’t even realize they’ve lost their hearing. Sometimes they bring their kids or babies on the sidelines and I know it’s a terrible thing for their hearing. The music is so loud sometimes it jolts my nervous system.