I am proud to share my hearing loss story and tips on Mango Health.
About 50 million people in the United States have hearing loss. This includes 1 in 5 teenagers and 60% of returning veterans from foreign wars. But noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. Hearing health advocate Shari Eberts recommends three simple steps to protect your own ears as well as those of your loved ones.
Noise-induced hearing loss is a pervasive problem, and one that is spreading due to increasing noise pollution. This isn’t only in cities, but also in small towns, too. At our restaurants, sporting events, and concert halls. Even at our schools. I was horrified to clock my daughter’s elementary school talent show at 90 decibels a few years ago, well above safe listening levels.
A 2011-2012 CDC study found that 24 percent of adults (aged 20-69) in the United States may have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss. Researchers also estimate as many as 17% of teens (aged 12-19) may have noise-induced hearing loss in one or both ears. It is a growing problem, and one that deserves our attention.
The good news is that most noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. Here are three safety precautions I recommend for you and your loved ones:
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I have found it helpful to take my noise canceling headphones to the movies and, if available, make use of the close caption opportunities. That allows me to pick the dialogue out of the barrage of sound effects. My favorite closed caption option is the eyeglasses that can be “checked out” from the movie theater. All that is required is the surrender of a photo ID. I make a point of only patronizing theaters that offer this option.
I do that too! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Shari,
Thanks for the timely blog. I teach math to high school girls, and on the first day of school every year I tell them about my hearing loss and how they need to speak confidently and clearly for me to hear everything they say. I plan on showing them your blog as well to educate them on certain things they can do to avoid hearing loss. They love to brag when they snag front section seats for a concert and how loud it was. Hopefully I can get them to consider simple ear plugs as well as download the free decibel reader app. I use mine all the time now.
Hope all is well and you’ve figured out your hearing aid problem from your China trip.
Mike
Glad the post was helpful. It is so important for teens to understand how to protect their hearing. I have gotten my hearing aids sorted (thank goodness). Thanks for asking.