You may associate hearing loss with old age, and you’d be probably right—until now.  About 1 in 20 adolescents in the US have hearing loss. But young people simply don’t consider that it could happen to them.

In the video above, our very own Dr. Melissa Karp, Au.D. discusses preventive measures for keeping your ears healthy, especially for teens and adolescents.  Earlier this month, she was featured on the Morning Break Wellness Wednesday show.

Hearing loss is caused by being around high volume noise over extended periods. It’s described as waves of noise hitting a shore, beating over time, crushing the hair fibers inside the ear. The larger issue is that when noise-induced hearing loss occurs, it is often too late, irreversible and, if a significant loss, can be life-altering.

A recent study found that children ages 8 to 18 are listening to media seven or more hours a day, which contributes to adolescent hearing problems. The World Health Organization showed that 1.1 billion young adults and teens are at risk from hearing loss, and the majority is caused by their smartphones and noisy entertainment.

For those listening to headphones, the radio, or the TV, keeping the volume at or near 50 percent is the best way to listen. Another option parents can take for preventive measures is to put volume restrictions on their children’s phone, using an app, or for an iPhone you can do this directly in the ‘Settings.’ Another tip is to have them use volume restricting headphones that stay below 85 decibels.

Hearing loss isn’t limited to loud music in headphones. Often times, young people have no idea the damage they’re doing by listening to TVs, attending concerts, or playing music for extended amounts of time.

Musicians and concertgoers should always use ear protection. A lot of listeners forgo ear protection under the belief that earplugs distort sound.

While such distortion can occur from standard foam or wax earplugs, a range of specialist attenuated earplugs and earmolds are available. At Audiology & Hearing Services we offer ear protection for the following:

• iPod earbuds
• Hunting
• Volume-limiting earphones
• Musician’s earplugs
• Custom ear-molds for hands-free cell phone use
• Custom-fit protection for operating vehicles, hunting, power tool use and concert-going.

Education is the most powerful tool, which is why Audiology & Hearing Services will continue to strive to improve awareness about sound levels and hearing protection.

Call us today to inquire about custom earmolds 704-412-7975.

The experts at Audiology & Hearing Services are here to assist you with protecting your hearing no matter your age. Whether you have just started to notice your hearing loss or have been experiencing it for years, we can evaluate your hearing so you know your level of hearing loss. Request an appointment online for our office located in the Carmel Park II Building, or call 704-412-7975.
11121 Carmel Commons Blvd. Charlotte, North Carolina.

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