Hearing Loss in ChildrenApproximately 12 percent of all children
ages 6–19 have noise-induced hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing
loss is permanent and is almost always preventable! Hearing loss
can happen at any age. A growing number of teens and kids are
damaging their hearing by prolonged exposure to loud noise.
Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells
that are found in our inner ear. Hair cells are small sensory
cells that convert the sounds we hear (sound energy) into
electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our
hair cells cannot grow back, causing permanent hearing loss. The
loudness of sound is measured in units called decibels (dB).
Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by prolonged exposure
to any loud noise over 85dB. How to protect your child’s
hearing: 60 dB Normal conversations or dishwashers 80 dB Alarm
clocks 90 dB Hair dryers, blenders, and lawnmowers 100 dB MP3
players at full volume 110 dB Concerts (any music genre), car
racing, and sporting event