How to Prevent and Recognize Hearing Loss in Children
By Jennifer Lopez
When we think of hearing loss we invariably assume it is something that
comes with age, a natural process. Yet, all ages are at risk of noise-induced hearing
loss, and children in particular can become victims of undetected hearing loss.
Even unborn babies are vulnerable to excessive noise. The hearing of the
fetus is fully developed at 20 weeks and is unprotected, so if a pregnant woman
spends time in excessive noise she increases the risk that her baby will be born with
noise-induced hearing loss.
Other risk factors include malnutrition and toxins from both cigarettes and
alcohol, all of which can reduce cell formation in the fetus, affecting the hearing
organs, which in turn may remain undersized for life.
Fortunately most children are born with excellent hearing, yet parents
should be aware of the many threats on their child’s hearing. For instance, many
children’s toys are extremely noisy. Here are examples of baby and infant toys to
avoid for the sake of your children’s hearing:

Certain rattles and squeaky toys have sound levels as high as 110
decibels, equivalent to a power tool in the playroom.

Musical toys like electric guitars, drums, and horns can be as loud as
120 decibels-the loudness of a typical Disco.

Toy phones have been measured between 123 and 129 decibels.

Toys to amplify the voice have been measured up to 135 decibelscomparable to a jetliner take-off.

Toy firearms or other firearm sounds can be at volumes as loud as
150 decibels at one foot away, loud enough to cause physical pain.
Another consideration is that due to a child’s shorter arm spam, noisy toys
are held closer to the ear, and are more likely to cause damage. It is, therefore a
good idea, before buying a toy, to find out just how noisy it is. Here are some tips
when buying or using “noisy” toys:

Hold the toy up to your ear. If it sounds too loud, hurts your ears, or
causes ringing in them, it will be too loud for your child.

Avoid toys with warnings that they should not be used close to the
ears; your child will not remember this once he is playing.

Put masking tape over the speaker of the toy to reduce volume.

Many musical instruments and toy guns can be damaging to the ears.
Replace such toys with less noisy toys or only use them out of doors.

Use a mat or a rug for your child to play on. They are efficient in
reducing noise from playing blocks, for example.

Hardwood or plastic boxes create lots of noise when children
rummage around for their toys. Line boxes with fabric or felt to
reduce noise.
Parents, you must protect yourchild’s hearing the same way you would protect
your own. Yet, it is even more important to protect your child’s hearing because it is
a vital part of his/her development. Hearing is important for socialization, for
learning effective communication, and many other skills. What if you are concerned
about your child’s hearing, what are some of the risk factors and signs of hearing
loss in children? Common indicators that a hearing evaluation may be necessary
include:

Speech delay. A child with undetected hearing loss may not develop clear
pronunciation or have a limited vocabulary, and may fall behind in cognitive
abilities (thinking and reasoning).

He/she may appear to not pay attention, not respond to voice commands or
his name, or seem to ignore others. He may ask for words to be repeated
often.

If your child has had frequent ear infections.

A family history of hearing loss.

Poor school performance or seeming to struggle to learn even simple
material.

Certain infectious diseases such as meningitis, measles, and cytomegalovirus
can cause hearing loss.

Some medical treatments have hearing loss as a possible side effect- such as
assisted ventilation treatments for newborns, and some chemotherapy.
If you are concerned about your child’s hearing there are a growing number of
audiologists that do testing on both children and infants. In Ulysses, free hearing
evaluations are available at High Plains Educational Cooperative, 207 N. Main St.
from September 1st through May 15th. Early identification leads to early intervention.
Hearing is a gift that can be lost at any age; by protecting your child’s hearing
you give him/her the best start in life
This information has been adapted from Detecting Hearing Loss in Children by
Jillyen E. Kibby, MA, CCC-Aand David Perlstein, MD, FAAP; Protect your unborn baby
against hearing loss; How to protect your child’s hearing; Noisy toys are not for
delicate ears; Warning: and Toys to avoid.
If you would be interested in having free home visits with your child age 0-5, please
contact Parents As Teachers at 356-4245