TMCnet News
Preventable: Noises too loud, listened to for too long, cause hearing loss [Enid News & Eagle, Okla. :: ](Enid News & Eagle (OK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 21--ENID, Okla. -- Listening to iPad tablet computers through headphones set too loud has become a common form of hearing loss, said Kim Tinius, audiologist at Hedges Regional Speech and Hearing Center. "That is a preventable cause," Tinius said. "We're seeing big notches in those high-frequency hearing losses." Tinius said she measured iPad volume levels and found a couple that had sound set at 90 and 105 decibels. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association emphasizes that noise too loud, or listened to for too long, can cause hearing loss. For comparison, noises that are too loud include fireworks at three feet, 150 dB; firearms, jet engine, 140 dB; jackhammer, 120 dB; the maximum output of some MP3 players, model airplane or chain saw, 110 dB; or a gas lawn mower or snowblower, 106 dB. Tinius recommends iPad volumes be set below 85 dB to avoid hearing damage. "You can control that if the parents would become involved," Tinius said. Carmen Ball, executive director at Hedges, said even a one-time exposure to an extremely loud noise is enough to damage hearing. So is repeated exposure to loud noise or extended exposure to moderate noise. For people who cannot avoid exposure to noise, Ball recommends these tips: --Wear ear plugs or earmuffs. --Have a hearing test by an audiologist. --Limit the length of exposure to noise to give the ears a break. --Take control of as much noise in the environment as possible. Ball said Hedges encourages parental involvement in the speech therapy process. Parents can observe the sessions and assignments will be sent home for children to work on. Hedges Regional Speech and Hearing Center is located at 2615 E Randolph. They can be reached by phone at (580) 234-3734, or go to hedgesspeechandhearing.com. ___ (c)2014 the Enid News & Eagle (Enid, Okla.) Visit the Enid News & Eagle (Enid, Okla.) at www.enidnews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |