Teens and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Facts
INTRO: More than any other age group, young people between the ages of 12 – 22 tend to enjoy noisy activities and play their music too loud for too long – behaviors that make them particularly vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The media sometimes refer to this age group as “the MP3 Generation,” which is one indicator that they are “wired in” to electronics. While it is still too early to predict the long-term effects of some activities and personal electronics on our hearing, it is known that excessive exposure to extreme decibel levels can cause hearing loss.
“It’s How You Listen That Counts” is a consumer awareness campaign launched by House Ear Institute in 2006 to effectively reach teens with a hearing conservation message. By increasing teen knowledge of the impact of noise on hearing and influencing their attitudes and behaviors around noise, the Institute hopes to motivate them to take measures to avoid NIHL – the one type of hearing loss that can be prevented. Here are a few facts you should know.
SOME FAQS: Did you know…?
· Prior to its 2006 consumer awareness campaign, House Ear Institute found 80% of teens surveyed had never received information about noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
· In a survey of teen listening habits, nearly 200 teens reported their typical listening volume levels as “medium to high” because they like the sensation of tuning out the world via total immersion in music. (House Ear Institute Survey, 2005)
· More than half of high school students in the U.S. report having at least one symptom of hearing loss. (ASHA Survey, 2006)
· 5.2 million 6-19 year olds have hearing loss directly related to noise exposure. (3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Niskar et al. 2000)
· Of the roughly 30 million Americans suffering from hearing loss, 10 million can attribute their hearing loss to noise.
· Individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents, and young adults, can develop noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
· More than 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous sound levels on a regular basis.
· NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to loud sound as well as by repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels (dB) over an extended period of time.
· Noise exposure occurs in the workplace, at school, in recreational settings, and at home.
· Listening to headphones with your stereo or MP3 player too loud or too long can hurt your ears.
· Other noisy recreational activities that might hurt your ears include target shooting and hunting, snowmobiling, riding go-carts, woodworking and other noisy hobbies, and playing with power horns, cap guns, and model airplanes.
· Potentially harmful noises at home include vacuum cleaners, garbage disposals, gas-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, shop tools and stereos or music players set at high volume levels.
CONTACTS:
Media Contact
Kirsten Holguin, Communications Manager, House Ear Institute, (213) 353-7081, kholguin@hei.org
Campaign Contact
Marilee Potthoff, Marketing Director, House Ear Institute, (213) 353-7078, mpotthoff@hei.org | |
Share
Share
Tool Tip
Use these tools to share this page with these popular sites
Tool Tip
Use this to share this page with your friends by email
Media Contact
Kirsten Holguin
213-353-7081
HOT TIP
When you experience a sudden change in air pressure, your ears are usually your body’s first barometer to alert you to the change. As your ears try to adjust, you notice a feeling of fullness or pressure that occurs in your Eustachian tube and middle ear chamber.
Learn More
|