Noisy toys and MP3 players may cause noise-induced hearing loss in children. But you can do something to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

The incidence of noise-induced hearing loss among American children is on the rise.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders in the US, the number of Americans aged 3 and older with hearing loss has more than doubled since 1971. Recent data indicates that over 12% of children between the ages of 6-19 and over 15% of children between the ages of 12-19 have noise-induced hearing loss.

Even mild hearing loss triples the risk of difficulties maintaining gait and balance, a study shows.

A link between hearing loss and falling was found by American researchers. The study indicates that having even a minor hearing impairment can increase the risk of a fall.

“People with impaired hearing have poor awareness of their overall environment, and that makes them more likely to trip and fall,” says Dr. Frank Lin, an Otologist and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA.

Excerpt- “The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), has called upon New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to reverse his administration’s decision to cancel routine public school hearing screenings, but so far the request seems to have fallen on deaf ears.” ﾠRead Full Article at Hearing Review

As a parent I would be very concerned with this decision. Untreated hearing loss of a child is much more serious than that of an adult. It can severely impact their communication skills, which in turn greatly reduces their academic abilities. The same communication difficulties lead to social isolation and poor self image, even affecting their whole life course. The earlier the hearing loss is caught, the less serious the impact on a child’s development.