ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN (U OF MICHIGAN HEATH) - A national poll from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital finds that nearly 2/3 of parents say their child uses headphones or earbuds, with 1 in 6 saying a typical day for their child includes at least 2 hours using an audio device.
Only half of the parents say they have tried to limit their child’s use. The pediatrician who co-led the poll says too much noise exposure can have serious health consequences.
“Children are at risk for long-term problems when they're exposed to loud noises and when they're particularly exposed to loud noises over a long period of time, and this can lead to permanent hearing loss,” says Dr. Susan Woolford, co-director of the poll for the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. “This hearing loss is preventable because we can limit exposure to noise but once it occurs, it is permanent.”
Noise exposure can also affect a child’s sleep, school performance, stress levels, and even blood pressure. Over a prolonged period, noise above 70 decibels may start to damage hearing. For headphones, Woolford says there is an easy rule for parents to follow.
“Many experts will recommend adhering to the 60/60 rule. This means limiting use of headphones and earbuds to less than 60 minutes a day,” adds Dr. Woolford. “And when one uses them to turn the volume down to 60% or less of the maximum volume. Parents can also encourage their children to take audio breaks from use of their electronic devices.”
If parents feel their child may be at risk of hearing loss due to audio devices, they may want to bring their child to the pediatrician, an audiologist, or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
