Prevent Hearing Loss in Children
Every year, the Sight and Hearing Association tests selected noise-making toys to see how loud they are. Two lists are published, a list of "noisy toys" and an "ear-friendly" safe toys list. According to the information on their site, noise levels above 90 decibels can produce hearing damage after a short exposure time. This consumer group has found toys as loud as 100 decibels.There are no federally-enforced noise level limits for toys. What does exist is a voluntary standard setting 90 decibels as the allowable maximum.
A similar group in Canada, Option Consommateurs, also tests toys and publishes a report.
Both organizations recommend parents listen to a toy before buying it. If the toy is noisy, tape over the speaker part to create a sound barrier. A concerned parent should monitor a child's time with a noisy toy, and be prepared to "disable" the toy by turning off the sound or even removing the batteries.
Prevent Hearing Loss in Teens
Teenagers are just as much at risk because their activities can expose them to loud sounds. Listening to loud music and stereos has long been a risk factor. A teenager going to a concert or movie known to be loud should bring along emergency hearing protection devices such as earplugs. Another technique is to wear special earmolds made expressly for the purpose of protecting hearing.Prevent Hearing Loss in Adults
Adults can be exposed to unsafe noise levels on the job. Jobs that carry this risk include activities such as lawn mowing. The Federal government has published several booklets on occupational/industrial noise control such as:- Noise Control A guide for workers and employers (from NoNoise.org)
- Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss (from the CDC)
- Industrial Noise Control Manual (from the CDC)
More Hearing Protection Techniques
The National Hearing Conservation Association maintains a database of service providers and manufacturers of hearing protection devices. (You must be a member in order to access the database.)Two companies that make these products are Westone, and Precision Laboratories.Even a private home can have problems with noise. The Owens Corning company manufactures several residential noise control products.
As a last resort, inserting fingertips into the ears tightly enough to cover the openings, is said to be effective.
