Most parents unaware that teens are at high risk for hearing loss

• Copyright © 2014 by the American Academy of Pediatrics

♦ Sekhar DL, et al. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;140:22-28.

Although data show one in six teens has high-frequency hearing loss often due to excessive noise, few parents believe their children are at risk, according to an online survey of 716 parents of youths ages 13 to 17 years.

Music played at high volumes and longer time exposed to even moderate-level sounds are equally damaging to a teen’s hearing.

Studies have shown that parents can help reduce risk-taking behavior among their teenage children. Therefore, researchers surveyed parents to determine how knowledgeable they are regarding adolescent hearing loss and their willingness to take measures to protect their children’s hearing.

More than 96% of parents said their teen was not at risk or only slightly at risk for hearing problems related to excessive noise. In addition, 42% did not know that volume and time exposed to noise are equally damaging. Only 31% had talked with their teenager about how excessive noise can cause hearing loss, and most of these parents were concerned that their child played music too loudly.

Nearly 67% of parents said they would be willing or very willing to limit the amount of time their child listened to music with headphones or earbuds, and 73% would be willing or very willing to insist their child wear earplugs or earmuffs when exposed to loud noises. Parents who had higher education, higher income and younger teens were more willing to use strategies to protect their teen’s hearing.

The authors concluded that interventions initially should target parents with less education and younger teens. In addition, a national standard for adolescent hearing screening could increase awareness of the epidemic of hearing loss among young people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists common sources of noise, estimated decibel levels and recommendations for maximum exposure durations at www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/noise/signs.htm.