Get hearing loss prevention tips (for every age!) here
Speech language pathologists know that the slightest degree of hearing loss can affect language development and learning; of course, these therapists would rather see lower statistics on this, than a packed waiting room at a hospital where hearing problems—usually in one ear and growing steadily worse—are the health issue du jour among teenaged patients.
For those in Speech Language Pathologist Jobs, a recent study conducted by the American Medical Association is grabbing notice. The study compared national surveys from the early 90s up to the mid 2000s and showed one in five teens, age 12 to 19, have some degree of hearing loss.
Hearing Loss Cause
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is largely to blame, with the ipod and MP3s—hot commodities among young consumers—cited as a contributing factor. Speech language pathologists believe it is not uncommon for teens to underestimate how much noise they are exposed to, dismissing their music as anything but (noise).
The study’s research, due to appear in the Journal of The American Medical Association is discussed in a recently publicized article at the American-Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), an excellent resource for conscientious speech language pathologists.
Their concern makes perfect sense. Because this problem affects the community at a family level, it’s worth providing hearing loss prevention tips to the general public, as well as practitioners of speech language pathology. In the past, in honor of May, Better Speech and Hearing Month, we’ve provided information that helps the individual determine if he’s suffering from hearing loss; this post hopes to nip it in the bud.
American Traveler Allied uses its blog and other resources to help speech language pathologists stay one step ahead of current trends in the healthcare marketplace—our quick links to Speech Therapy Associations in every state, is worth your bookmark. We strongly suggest you sign up to receive regular updates from the speech therapy association in your state of employ. ASHA is likewise committed to providing refreshers, like this one, on safe noise levels for the general public.
Hearing loss prevention tips
A good rule of thumb is to keep any source of noise no higher than 85 decibels (dB), and be advised that portable music players can produce sound far above that level, capable of ranges from 60 to 120 decibels. The result of turning the volume of an ipod approximately one-quarter of the way up is about 85dB—a noise level that doesn’t lead to hearing loss, provided listeners limit their time using this and similar devices. Even at full volume, listeners using digital music players can safely enjoy one or two songs at a time.
The following are time frames spent at certain noise levels and what they are equivalent to:
- 12 hrs @ 85dB - (equivalent to motor boat)
- 8 hrs @ 90dB - (equivalent to lawnmower)
- 4 hrs @ 95dB - (equivalent to motorcycle)
- 2 hrs @ 100dB - (equivalent to snowmobile)
- 1 hr @ 105 dB - (equivalent to chain saw)
- 30 min @ 110 dB - (equivalent to rock concert, arcade)
- 15 min @ 115 dB - (equivalent to movie theater, health clubs)
Speech language pathologists know how important it is to make a lasting impression on the general public, by reminding them that no age group is immune to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss; it affects some 30 million people, the majority of whom damage their hearing while at work.
Already, 10 million Americans have permanently damaged their hearing. Before it’s 10 million and one, pass on hearing loss prevention tips that impact speech language pathology jobs; apply online or call 800-617-0608 today. You could make a difference worth shouting about… just keep your enthusiasm at the right decibel!
