Preventing Hearing Loss Begins Early

It’s never too early to begin protecting tiny ears from noise-related damage. The most common cause of hearing loss is damage to hair cells in the inner ear that carry sound information to the brain. Once these hair cells are damaged, it’s irreversible. Noise exposure is cumulative, so it’s important to begin limiting a child’s noise exposure as early as possible.

You’re probably aware that lawn mowers, power tools, machinery and loud noises can damage hearing, but did you know children’s toys can too? You may have noticed that lots of toys make music or funny sounds. Not all of these toys are damaging, but kids often put these items against their face and ears, bringing the source of the sound closer to their inner ear. According to experts, exposure to noise levels as low as 85 decibels over time can lead to hearing impairment, and a number of toys exceed the 85-decibel threshold.

Unfortunately, toys that make sounds don’t list the decibel level on the package, so it’s sometimes hard to know what you’re getting. If possible, test the toy out yourself to see if it sounds loud to you, while keeping in mind that a child may place the toy close to their face. If a toy is in a package and you can’t test it, look for warnings on the package about not placing it close to the ears. Any toy that says that should raise red flags.

Don’t forget about having your child’s hearing checked. In general, you should have your child’s hearing tested before they start school and anytime they have problems hearing you or if they have frequent ear infections. The majority of all babies receive a newborn hearing test before leaving the hospital, but make sure you get the results of their hearing test to keep in your records. If your baby was born outside a hospital, make sure you find a qualified professional to have this test done.

Begin protecting your child’s hearing early in life. One way to reduce their exposure to noise is to screen toys that make sounds before buying them and using common sense- if you think it is too loud, it probably is!