Protecting Your Children’s Hearing – The Doctors at South Tampa Immediate Care Explain

The human ear is truly amazing. Numerous complex parts, including three tiny bones called the hammer, anvil, and stirrup, along with countless miniscule hairs called cilia, work together in concert to convert the sound waves moving throughout the environment into signals that your brain can decipher, enabling you to hear voices, music, and other sounds. Most adults are aware of their potential for hearing loss as they age, and of the importance of safeguarding their hearing. What many people do not realize, though, is that children are just as susceptible to hearing loss as adults when it comes to the damaging effects of noise exposure.

The cumulative effects of excessive noise over time, or a single loud burst, can result in permanent damage and hearing loss. Hearing loss in children is especially concerning because it can affect their speech development, learning ability, and social skills, thus potentially stalling their development. As a parent, you should become familiar with the ways in which you can protect your children’s ears to preserve their hearing. Here are some steps you can take in that regard:

• Purchase ear buds and headphones that limit their output to ensure your children don’t accidentally turn up the volume too high.

• Monitor the use of iPods and noisy toys, and encourage your kids to take regular breaks.

• Read the labels on toys, try them out in the store before you buy them, and become familiar with any warnings about sound levels.

• If your children are attending a concert, movie, motorsports event, air show, or another place that is prone to loud noise, give them ear plugs to wear to dampen the sound.

• Talk to your kids about the danger of hearing loss and the importance of protecting their hearing.

• Set a good example by protecting your own hearing and observing some quiet time every day.

Of course, you want to do everything you can to keep your children safe. Don’t forget about safeguarding against hearing loss, an invisible injury that can have a long-term developmental impact. By taking preventive measures, like these, to limit your children’s exposure to hazardous noise, you can help ensure their healthy hearing for life.

For additional family health and safety tips, please browse our online series of health articles. If you have questions or would like to see a physician, contact or visit the South Tampa Immediate Care walk-in clinic.