Are you a parent of a young adult? You may think that their lack of communication around the home is due solely to them being teenagers, but there may be something more worrying that’s causing them to drift out of conversation – quite simply, they may have trouble hearing what’s being said.
A recent study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated that over a billion young people around the world may be at risk of early hearing loss, which can manifest itself in all manner of lifestyle problems, in their social, educational and professional lives, if not dealt with promptly. Specialist providers of hearing information and treatment advise that, if left untreated, hearing loss can lead to isolation, depression and other health risks.
Given that the WHO’s analysis was of studies conducted in middle to high income countries, the causes are unfortunately all too predictable – music being played on personal audio devices, and attendance at venues playing music at high levels, such as nightclubs and festivals.
According to the organisation, about 50% of all cases of hearing loss are avoidable, so if you’re a parent and you’re concerned that your child, or children, may be at risk, then you may be interested to learn what can be done.
At Home
Anyone with one or more teenagers in the house will know that it can sometimes feel like a nightclub, with stereos in separate bedrooms at full blast playing different types of music, often with each trying to drown the other out! Try and enforce lower levels of noise – continued exposure to anything above 85 decibels is the problem. If the TV or stereo is too loud to have a conversation without shouting, then it ought to come down a bit, especially because after a while the neighbours will inevitably complain.
Talk with your children about any difficulties they may be experiencing with their hearing, such as being unable to hear Mum calling up the stairs when it’s time to get out of bed and go to college, or regular bouts of tinnitus, and if there does seem to be a problem, book them an appointment with a hearing specialist. A branch can usually be found in every town so it’s easy to arrange.
Going Out
Understanding the causes and dangers is key. Once your teen knows that their hearing could be at risk and why, it should be easier to persuade them to limit their exposure. Cutting down the number of times they visit clubs or other loud venues, such as sporting events, will help. Many nightclubs also have chill-out areas where the music is far lower, so taking a break now and again will be a good idea.
And another recommendation from the experts is that anyone going somewhere that is likely to be very noisy should consider wearing earplugs. Now it’s going to be pretty hard to convince your teenager to go on a night out with their mates with earplugs in, admittedly. But you can find very discreet flesh-coloured ones in the shops that are barely noticeable. Maybe try hiding a set in their coat before they go out as a gentle hint…
In The Workplace
All businesses have a responsibility to look after the health of their employees. The WHO recommends that eight hours should be the maximum anyone should be exposed to 85Dbl in the workplace. If your teenager works somewhere noisy, such as a pub or a factory, try and find out what kind of protective measures are used, such as ear muffs.
If there doesn’t seem to be anything then you should encourage them to speak up about it. Of course they may not want to if they feel their job might be at risk, so you could always think about putting in an anonymous complaint to the relevant authority! A bit cheeky perhaps, but the health of your family will always be a priority.
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