Noise exposure causing hearing loss among young

“I don’t think there is any question that we are seeing more and more young people-- from children to young adults -- come in looking for hearing screening,” said Scott Beall, owner of Sears Hearing Aid Center in Northwood. Beall believes there could be several factors involved but cites noise exposure as one of the biggest threats. Personal entertainment devices, cell phones, exposure to higher decibels of ambient noise are having an impact on hearing loss.

A recent Johns Hopkins study argued that hearing loss nationwide was more widespread than previously believed, with an estimated 55 million Americans having hearing loss in one or both ears, with men, whites and the least-educated most affected. The study estimated that 8.5 percent of people age 20-29 have some level of hearing loss.

Studies are also showing that the problem is being left untreated and it could have a serious impact on a young person’s ability to learn. The Better Hearing Institute also released a study earlier this year that states that nearly 1.5 million young people under the age of 21 have hearing loss that could be helped by amplification.

“Children need to be able to hear, not just in the classroom, but also because hearing affects language competence, cognitive development, social and emotional well-being, and academic achievement,” said Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., executive director of BHI. “Children who cannot hear well -- that is, when their hearing loss is untreated or under-treated -- could face a life of underperformance and broken dreams.”

A large part of the problem is that many parents today either don’t recognize their child’s hearing problem, minimize it, or have been given misinformation regarding the ability to treat the child’s hearing loss. In fact, at least 50 percent of parents don’t go back for detailed testing when their infant fails an initial hearing screening.

“I think it’s critical that parents take their children for regular hearing screening, particularly with the level of impact we’re seeing with the use of headphones and other devices,” said Beall.

Key findings from the BHI study include:
• Only 12 percent of children under the age of 18 with hearing loss use hearing aids; yet an estimated 1.5 million youth (including adult dependents) under the age of 21 have hearing loss that may be improved with amplification.
• Hearing loss leaves children vulnerable to other problems, according to three out of four parents of children with hearing loss. Common problem areas include:
- Social skills (52 percent)
- Speech and language development (51 percent)
- Grades in school (50 percent)
- Emotional health (42 percent)
- Relationships with peers (38 percent)
- Self-esteem (37 percent)
- Relationships with family (36 percent)
• Three in 10 parents (32 percent) cite embarrassment or other social stigma issues as a reason their child does not use a hearing aid.
• One out of five (22 percent) parents says they are unable to afford hearing devices.
• Four in 10 parents were told that their child did not need amplification because they had hearing loss in only one ear.
• Two in 10 parents were mistakenly told that their child could not be helped because they had high frequency hearing loss. Another 20 percent were told they could not be helped because they had a low frequency hearing loss.

For more information, contact Beall at 419-693-9522.