Fireworks can cause hearing loss in children

"One large acoustic event - when it is very loud at one time - can cause hearing loss," says Jennifer Simpson, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and director of the Audiology Clinic.

Having children wear earplugs during a fireworks show can help reduce the risk of hearing loss, Simpson says. She also added that dampening the sound could make a fireworks show less frightening to children.

Noise-induced hearing loss also can be caused by extended noise exposure and is typically permanent. Concerts, power tools, guns and fireworks are a few of the noises that can cause hearing loss.

Everyone is susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss, but children seem to be around noise now more so than adults, Simpson says.

"Monitor your children's volume on any kind of MP3 player device, and make sure that it isn't too loud," she says. "The longer you wear something that's loud, the more damage it can cause. So you want to turn down the volume and shorten the time you listen to music."

Another common way children can lose hearing is due to ear infections. However, this hearing loss is usually temporary, she says.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, ear infections are the most common illnesses in babies and young children, with three out of four children experiencing an ear infection by the time they are 3 years old.

If a child does have an ear infection, it's important to take them to your

provider for treatment. Once the infection is gone and there is no more fluid in the ear, the child's hearing should return to normal, Simpson says.

Football stars should wear ear-defenders

Author: hewden.co.uk

Premier League Clubs in Breach of Noise Health and Safety Regulations As part of its 'Shout About Noise Reduction' campaign, construction equipment rental giant Hewden, is issuing a stark safety warning to football clubs that are failing to comply with the latest health and safety legislation regarding harmful levels of noise.

The 'Control of Noise at Work Regulations', introduced in April this year, require that hearing protection must be made available to all employees exposed to excessive noise levels over a specific period of time. In football terms, this level equates to 87dB over the course of a match.

According to Hewden, research carried out to date shows that the permitted noise level is exceeded at no fewer than eight Premiership grounds. However, none of the clubs provide hearing protection for their employees – or players

"Like any business, football clubs have a responsibility to protect their employees. The regulations are not about preventing noise, simply controlling it, says Jeff Schofield, Head of Marketing at Hewden".

Furthermore, the clubs with the loudest fans, such as Manchester United, Portsmouth, Liverpool and Newcastle, experience noise levels well in excess of 92dB . According to the legislation, all members of staff, such as managers, stewards, officials and players are legally required to wear ear defenders provided by their employers.

"Football stars may soon find themselves in a position where the latest ‘must have’ accessory is a set of designer earmuffs!" adds Jeff Schofield.

Kid's Ear Defenders to Protect Their Ears Now

Author: Jenwa
 

Using kid’s ear defenders to protect a child’s hearing sounds obvious, but even something as innocent as watching fireworks can damage a child’s sensitive ear drums.

When you were growing up you would have had several tests on your hearing to make sure that your inner ear was forming correctly. Detecting any damage at this stage can usually be treated, but if left could be made worse.

A child’s hearing is sensitive and so they need to be protected. If you are going to a fireworks display or for some reason going somewhere where there is going to be a lot of loud noise, then make sure that you protect your children’s ears using ear defenders.

Using children’s ear defenders to protect their hearing from harmful noise is vital. Ear defenders effective attenuate noises which could be harmful to your child’s hearing, without shutting out other ambient sounds.

Children’s ear defenders are easy to wear, with no protruding parts that could catch on things. The ear defenders that are often recommended are made by Peltor and have wide and comfortable sealing rings. The rings that cover the ear are filled with a combination of liquid and foam, giving optimum sealing and low contact pressure. This means that children can wear ear defenders for long periods of time. The kid’s ear defenders often come in two colours; trademark neon pink or neon green. This is not only for visibility but for fun too.

About the Author:
 

Protecting your child's hearing is extremely important so getting them to wear ear defenders is a great way to protect them if you are going somehwre where there is likely to be a lot of noise.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Kid's Ear Defenders to Protect Their Ears Now

Ear Damage Due to Loud Music

 By Ava Fails, eHow Contributing Writer

Hearing is a delicate thing, and your ears can be damaged even after short durations of loud sound. Hearing damage starts at sounds that are 90 decibels (such as the sound of a lawnmower) after prolonged exposure of up to eight hours per day.

How Loud is Too Loud

1. Sound levels above 85 decibels are dangerous to your hearing and can cause irreversible damage. Amplified music at about 110 decibels can damage your ears after four to 30 minutes of exposure.

   Loud Music

2. Repeated exposure to loud music will damage the tiny hairs inside the cochlea of your ear, which turn sound into nerve impulses that are then processed by your brain. This damage is reversible unless it is due to repetitive and prolonged exposure to loud music.

   Earbuds

3. Earbud-style headphones are dangerous because they don't block outside noise as well as headphones that fit over the ear. This results in you listening at volume levels that can damage your hearing in as little as an hour and a half.

   Symptoms

4. Symptoms leading up to and including possible damage include tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing sound as if it's being muffled, and a difficult time hearing and understanding speech in loud environments.

   Prevention

5. Prevent hearing loss by using ear protection such as ear defenders when attending loud musical events. Keep your headphones at a level where you can still hear normal conversation above your music.