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Date: Fri 21-Jul-1995

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Date: Fri 21-Jul-1995

Publication: Hea

Author: CURT

Illustration: I

Quick Words:

hearing-loss-prevention

Full Text:

How To Prevent Hearing Loss

ATLANTA (AP) - Noise deafens, so teach your children to avoid overexposure to

sound to safeguard their hearing, urges Jolie Fainberg, an audiologist at

Egleston Children's Hospital at Emory University.

"Between the noise we choose to hear, such as music, and the background noise

we can't control, such as traffic, we live in a very noisy world today," she

says. "We can't protect children from all of it. But exposure to high noise

levels over time can rob them of precious hearing, so we should teach them to

respect their ability to hear and to protect it whenever possible."

The siren call of stereos, rock concerts, machinery and other sound sources

can lead to overexposure. Some things to watch for, according to Ms Fainberg:

Loud music, via radios and stereo systems, can injure hearing. If it's loud

enough to keep people from talking over it or enough to hurt the eardrums,

it's too loud.

Walkabout players with headphones must be used with care since the sound is

hitting the eardrum directly. If the music can be heard by anyone else besides

the wearer, it's too loud.

Live concerts can drum up harm for your child's eardrums, causing temporary

hearing loss. Though he can't turn down the volume, he can wear simple

earplugs, available at any drugstore, to temper the noise level. The music can

still be heard.

If your child plays a loud instrument or performs in a band, he should wear

earplugs; professional musicians do. These earplugs are available at music

stores and from audiologists or other hearing professionals.

Sudden loud noises, like gunshots during a hunting trip, can damage hearing

seriously. Ear protection should be worn in any situation where such noises

are likely.

Long-term exposure to loud machinery, such as lawnmowers, can damage hearing.

Ear protection is advised for anyone working around such machinery.

Not all hearing problems come from noise. Other sources include ear infections

and childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps, and meningitis; head injuries;

and side effects from medications.

Your child's school may screen him for hearing loss from time to time, but you

should arrange a screening on your own if you notice any signs of loss,

Fainberg advises. These include poor school performance, complaints of ringing

in the ears, or ear pain.

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