{"id":11099,"date":"2023-04-21T13:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-21T20:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everhear.com\/?p=11099"},"modified":"2023-04-24T14:11:47","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T21:11:47","slug":"technology-may-put-kids-teens-at-risk-for-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everhear.com\/technology-may-put-kids-teens-at-risk-for-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Technology May Put Kids & Teens at Risk for Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> reports, \u201cAn estimated 12.5% of children and adolescents aged 6\u201319 years (approximately 5.2 million) have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise.\u201d Arguably one of the main sources of this noise exposure is your child\u2019s technological devices. In this post, we review how loud sounds cause damage, how loud too loud is and how to keep your child\u2019s ears safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do Loud Sounds Cause Damage?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Within the inner ear is the cochlea, which is filled with fluid and lined with tiny hair cells called stereocilia. As sounds travel through the ears, the soundwaves move the fluid. This stimulates the hair cells and converts the soundwaves into electrical impulses. These travel to the brain via the auditory nerve to be interpreted as sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If dangerously loud sounds pass through the ears, it can damage or destroy the stereocilia. Once damaged, they do not regenerate, and the result is permanent sensorineural hearing loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Loud Is Too Loud? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to how loud is too loud, it really comes down to how long your child is exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to OSHA, the threshold that is considered safe is approximately 85 dB. This is about the volume of passing highway traffic or a bustling caf\u00e9. At this level, sounds are safe for about eight hours of exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note, however, if your child is listening for longer than eight hours, 85 dB is too loud. If your child is plugged into their music or videos all day, listening should be limited to less than 70 dB\u2014about the volume of a washing machine or dishwasher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Keep My Child\u2019s Ears Safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can help keep your child\u2019s ears safe by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n