A note from the Hearing Itinerant:
Since May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, you may want to spend some time on information related to
hearing,
the ear or protecting the ear. Noise induced hearing loss can happen to anyone, is preventable and permanent. I
recommend
checking out a website called www.dangerousdecibels.org. It has fun and educational games related sound
and how loud is too loud (Other good websites: www.asha.org, www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov ). I have
also attached a hand out on dangerous noise levels.
Some interesting facts you can share with your class:
Exposure to noise over 85dB can cause damage to the tiny hairs in the cochlea of your inner ear which results in
permanent hearing loss depending on how loud the sound is and how long you listen for (at 85dB over 8 hours can
cause damage. More than 15 minutes of exposure above 100dB may cause hearing loss…rock concerts!) Here are
some more facts:
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Of the roughly 36 million American adults suffering from hearing loss, 10 million can be attributed to
noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to loud sound as well as by repeated exposure to sounds at
various loudness levels over an extended period of time.
Damage happens to the microscopic hair cells found inside the cochlea. These cells respond to the
mechanical sound vibrations by sending an electrical signal to the auditory nerve.
With loud sound exposure over time, the hair cells’delicate hair bundles may get damaged or broken. If
enough of them are damaged, hearing loss results.
The high frequency area of the cochlea is often damaged by loud sound. Many people with noise-induced
hearing loss have trouble distinguishing high-frequency sounds because the hair cells responsible for
high-frequency sounds are located at the base of the cochlea. Vibrations here tend to be more forceful,
resulting in more damage to cells.
Cases of noise-induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus are found in children. According to Niskar et al., 2001,
5.2 million children (6-19 years of age) suffer from hearing loss attributed to excessive amounts of
hazardous sound.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that
approximately 15 percent (over 30 million) of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have high
frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds or noise at work or in leisure activities.
Over 12 million Americans experience severe tinnitus.
60-60 rule Hearing advocates are pressing for people to turn down the volume.
Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston recommend that no MP3 player should ever be used at full
volume. Instead, the volume should be kept at no higher than 60 percent of the maximum and that it
should be used for no more than about 60 minutes a day.
Thanks!
Tina Guryn
LZ95 Hearing Itinerant
(847) 732-3669 Cell
(847) 540-5397 Voice Mail
(847)438-2696 Fax