This is where it gets tough. Most teenagers seem to wear earbuds all day long. Volume needs to be set at a much lower level than most teenagers want. Remember, if you can hear the music across the room, it is too loud. If your child participates in band, hearing protection should be used. There are programs to educate young musicians and their band directors about hearing protection. Please give us a call at 727-323-2471. I would be happy to help. There are special ear plugs … [Read more...]

It gets harder and harder to monitor your child’s noise exposure as they become more independent. Hopefully, good habits will carry over as your child grows up. It seems that everyone in this age group has an MP3 player. There are headphones available that limit the volume level. (We have them in the office and they are inexpensive). Your child should be able to carry on a conversation with you while using an MP3 player. If you can hear the music, it is too loud. Wearing time should be … [Read more...]

It gets harder to control a child’s environment as they get a little older. You can educate your children about noise exposure the same way you educate them to stay safe. Once again, check out your child’s toys. Do you find them too loud? Adjust the volume if possible and limit play time with noisy toys. Do not give small children anything with earbuds. They encourage loud volume and limit your ability to monitor sounds. Check out your child’s preschool or kindergarten. The … [Read more...]

Noise exposure starts the day we are born. Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit are exposed to a great deal of noise from machinery to loud voices. As I have written before, noisy toys can be a problem. Hold the toy up to your face and listen to it. Does it seem loud to you? If it does, don’t use it. Noise is cumulative. If you have several toys making noise at the same time, not only is it overwhelming but it can make an acceptable toy too loud. If you go out to eat with … [Read more...]

As an audiologist, I see the world a little differently than most people. I am more aware of the noise around me and the devastating effect that it can have on our quality of life. By the time I see a new patient, the damage has already been done. Noise induced hearing loss is avoidable. Noise exposure should be addressed from birth on. We tend to think of noise as being an exposure at work. This is a very small part of the problem. We experience far more noise in our day to day living … [Read more...]