As the new school year begins, students are gearing up for a wide range of activities, from pep rallies and concerts to hands-on classes like shop and mechanics. While these experiences are exciting and integral to a well-rounded education, they also expose students to potentially harmful levels of noise. Protecting hearing health is vital, especially as students dive back into the energetic and sometimes loud environments of school. Here’s how students of all ages, including college-level students, can safeguard their hearing during the school year.

 

The Risks of High Noise Levels

Many back-to-school activities involve high noise levels, which can cause temporary or even permanent hearing damage. Pep rallies, sports events, and concerts often feature loud music and cheering that can exceed safe noise levels. Classes like shop, mechanics, and even band practice can also expose students to high decibel levels from machinery, tools, and instruments.

According to the World Health Organization, prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can damage hearing. For context, a typical pep rally or concert can reach 100 decibels or more, making ear protection a necessary consideration.

 

Strategies for Protecting Hearing Health

Wear Ear Protection: One of the most effective ways to protect hearing in loud environments is by wearing ear protection. Earplugs or earmuffs can significantly reduce noise levels while still allowing students to enjoy events and participate in classes. For younger students, parents and teachers can help ensure they wear ear protection during loud activities. College students should make it a habit to carry earplugs with them, especially when attending concerts, sports events, or classes that involve loud machinery.

Monitor Noise Levels: Both teachers and students can benefit from monitoring the noise levels in classrooms and during school events. Smartphone apps like Sound Meter or Decibel X can measure decibel levels and provide real-time feedback. If noise levels exceed safe thresholds, it’s time to implement hearing protection strategies or take breaks to give ears a rest.

Take Listening Breaks: Encourage students to take regular breaks from noisy environments. Whether it’s stepping outside for a few minutes during a pep rally or turning off loud machinery in a shop class, these breaks can give their ears a chance to recover and reduce the risk of hearing damage.

Choose Quiet Zones: Schools can designate quiet zones where students can take a break from the noise. These areas provide a space for students to rest their ears, especially after attending loud events or classes. For college campuses, libraries and study rooms can serve as excellent quiet zones where students can relax and recharge.

Get Regular Hearing Checks: Early detection of hearing issues is key to preventing long-term damage. Both children and college students should have their hearing checked regularly, especially if they participate in activities with high noise exposure. Schools can partner with local audiologists to provide hearing screenings, or parents can schedule annual check-ups with their child’s healthcare provider.

 

Promoting Awareness

Raising awareness about hearing health is essential. Schools can include hearing protection tips in their newsletters, during orientations, or as part of health education classes. College campuses can host workshops on the importance of hearing health and provide resources like earplugs at events.

By taking proactive steps, students can enjoy the excitement of the school year while safeguarding their hearing health for years to come. Whether it’s through wearing ear protection, taking breaks, or getting regular hearing checks, these strategies ensure that students can participate fully in school activities without compromising their hearing.

Summer is a great time for teens to gain work experience, earn some extra money, and learn valuable life skills. However, some summer jobs come with potential risks to hearing health that teens and their parents might not be aware of. Whether it’s working at a busy restaurant, lifeguarding at a noisy pool, or mowing lawns, it’s important to take steps to protect young ears from damage. Here are some key tips to ensure hearing safety for teens during their summer jobs.

Understanding the Risks

Many common summer jobs expose teens to potentially harmful noise levels. For instance:

Landscaping and Lawn Mowing: The equipment used in these jobs, such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers, can produce noise levels well above the safe threshold (85 decibels).

Food Service: Working in a busy restaurant or café can mean constant exposure to loud music, kitchen noise, and a bustling environment.

Construction: Teens working in construction or related fields are often around power tools and machinery that generate high levels of noise.

Lifeguarding and Pool Maintenance: Pools can be surprisingly noisy environments, especially with the constant sound of water, whistles, and people.

Tips for Protecting Hearing

Use Hearing Protection:

Earplugs: Simple foam earplugs can reduce noise levels by up to 30 decibels and are inexpensive and easy to use.

Earmuffs: For higher noise environments, earmuffs can provide greater protection and are often more comfortable for extended wear.

Custom-Fit Protectors: For jobs with constant exposure to high noise levels, investing in custom-fit earplugs can offer superior comfort and protection.

Take Regular Breaks:

Stepping away from the noisy environment periodically allows the ears to rest and recover, reducing the risk of permanent damage.

Limit Exposure:

Encourage teens to limit their overall exposure to loud environments, both at work and during leisure time. For instance, if they work in a noisy place, they should avoid attending loud concerts or using headphones at high volumes during their off-hours.

Educate About Safe Listening Levels:

Teach teens about the importance of keeping the volume at safe levels when using earbuds or headphones. A good rule of thumb is the 60/60 rule: listening at 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

Recognize the Signs of Hearing Damage:

Teens should be aware of signs of hearing damage, such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus), difficulty understanding speech, or a feeling of fullness in the ears. If they notice any of these symptoms, they should seek medical advice promptly.

Encourage Open Communication:

Teens should feel comfortable discussing any concerns about noise levels or hearing protection with their employers. Many workplaces are required to provide hearing protection if the noise levels exceed certain limits.

Why It Matters

Hearing damage can be gradual and irreversible, impacting not just the ability to hear but also overall quality of life. By taking proactive steps to protect their hearing, teens can avoid long-term issues and continue to enjoy all the sounds of life without difficulty.

Final Thoughts

Summer jobs are a fantastic opportunity for teens to learn and grow, but it’s important to be mindful of the potential risks to their hearing health. With the right protection and habits, teens can safeguard their hearing while gaining valuable work experience. Encourage your teen to follow these tips, and they’ll be well on their way to a safe and productive summer job experience.

Hearing loss can have various causes, and one often overlooked factor is seasonal allergies, particularly prevalent during spring in Las Vegas. Allergic reactions triggered by local allergens like pollen from mesquite trees and desert winds stirring up dust can exacerbate existing auditory issues. For those susceptible to allergies, middle ear infections and hearing loss are more common occurrences, raising questions about their connection.

During an allergic reaction, typical symptoms such as a runny nose, burning eyes, and ear discomfort may manifest. Ear symptoms can include itching, swelling, drainage from one or both ears, balance issues, and ear pain.

Allergic reactions prompt an excess production of mucus, which can temporarily impair hearing due to poor conduction. This form of hearing loss often occurs when mucus, moisture, or earwax obstructs the middle ear. The desert’s dry, windy climate can intensify allergy severity, further emphasizing the importance of managing allergies effectively, especially for those with existing hearing issues.

The link between allergies and hearing loss varies depending on the individual and the specific allergens encountered. Symptoms like itchy eyes and nasal discharge are common, but allergies can also affect hearing. When the immune system responds to allergens by releasing histamine, it can lead to increased production of mucus in the nose and sinuses, potentially causing a type of hearing loss called transmission hearing loss.

Sinus-related allergies can pose additional challenges, causing issues such as clogged sinuses and swelling of the eustachian tube. This can result in temporary hearing loss, highlighting the importance of seeking medical advice and allergy testing to prevent further complications.

Symptoms associated with hearing loss due to allergies, such as itching in the ear and ear discharge, should not be ignored. Managing allergies effectively through antihistamines and decongestants can help alleviate ear-related symptoms, but it’s essential to seek a hearing test if allergies are suspected of affecting your ears. Being proactive and aware of these connections can help maintain optimal hearing health, especially during Las Vegas’ spring allergy season.

Please schedule your hearing assessment / checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology today! Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.