It’s time for the latest episode of The Flex Audiology Show! This time we’re discussing the importance of your kids’ hearing health, headphones, and how loud is too loud. 

Each year, schools ramp up their supply lists, often including headphones or earbuds. These might seem like simple items, yet they have implications for your child's long-term hearing health.  

As a parent, you might have checked off the back-to-school supply list, ensuring your child has all the essentials. 

You, as a parent, are faced with deciding between over-the-ear headphones and earbuds. But what's the difference when it comes to protecting precious hearing? 

Headphones with volume limiters can play a protective role, allowing you to set a maximum volume, preventing harmful levels that children might unknowingly crank up.  

Earbuds, although compact and convenient, often lack this feature. They can amplify sound more intensely due to their design and the small ear canals of young children. 

Understanding Safe Sound Levels 

The auditory world is full of sounds measurable in decibels (dB). Any sound over 85 dB can start causing damage to your hearing, irreversibly.  

Visualize 85 dB being equivalent to the noise on a busy street. Now, consider that typical earbuds can expose your child to levels between 100 dB and 110 dB, the equivalent of a rock concert or chainsaw!  

Schools frequently use tablets and smartphones, both capable of reaching these levels. Understand and monitor these sound levels because children often lack awareness of the long-term effects of high-volume listening.  

For a child, louder might simply be better, disregarding the potential for permanent damage. For example, at a venue like a concert or event, you might still encourage your child to use hearing protection, even when you believe they aren't at immediate risk, as exposure to high decibels can happen in everyday scenarios. 

Monitoring Safe Listening Practices 

To ensure your child's listening practices are safe, consider implementing guidelines at home.  

A practical approach? If while wearing headphones, your child is oblivious to you calling their name, it’s time to lower the volume.  

I often test my kids with this same trick; if I call for either of them when they have their earbuds in and they don’t hear me, I make sure they turn it down! 

This simple test can prevent potential hearing damage. It not only provides you with a quick way to monitor volume but also educates your child to recognize when sounds are too loud. 

For prolonged use, the 60/60 rule is a beneficial guideline: keep the volume at 60% or less and take a break every 60 minutes. This is a proactive way to minimize the risk of hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to loud sound.  

Encourage your child to adhere to this practice, and lead by example, as adult listening habits often mirror those of children. 

Taking Action: Engaging with Schools 

Discuss your concerns with your child’s school if their supply list includes earbuds without built-in volume limitations.  

Propose alternatives such as volume-limited headphones. While these may come at your own expense, take relief in that they are cheaper than the prolonged costs and emotional toll of hearing loss treatments. 

Additionally, inquire about the types of devices your child will use at school and whether volume settings can be managed there. Some schools may allow you to implement safety settings on personal devices, ensuring an extra layer of protection during use at school. 

The Irreversible Impact of Hearing Damage 

Hearing damage can manifest well into adolescence.  

The signs often hide in plain sight: speech and language delays, social interaction challenges, and difficulties in academic performance. By the time these symptoms become evident, it might already be too late to reverse the damage. 

The impacts extend beyond academia, influencing social interactions and overall quality of life. Children who experience a hearing loss might also struggle with focusing in noisy environments, which can further hinder their educational experiences. 

As adults, you might also be guilty of consistently using headphones or earbuds at unsafe levels.  

Prolonged exposure can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Every time you wear earbuds for a prolonged period without breaks, you are potentially compromising your auditory health.  

It's essential for you to adopt safe listening habits, as your actions often set the norms for your children. 

Advocate for Hearing Health 

By implementing these strategies and advocating for safe listening environments at your child’s school, you are not only protecting their hearing but also setting the foundation for lifelong auditory health.  

As parents, being proactive about such issues today can make all the difference in preserving your child’s quality of life tomorrow. 

You have the power to influence your child's hearing health positively. Educate, advocate, and ensure they can enjoy their world of sound safely and healthily!