Kids' Headphones & Earbuds: Unseen Health Risks
In today's society, where technology plays a crucial role in our everyday routines, the growing prevalence of headphones and earbuds among youngsters has sparked worries regarding potential health hazards.
A recent nationwide survey conducted by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital has brought attention to an alarming pattern: a considerable portion of children, particularly those aged 5 to 12, regularly utilize personal listening gadgets.
Widespread usage among younger children
This trend isn't limited to teenagers as previously believed; it has also spread to even younger age groups, with two out of three parents admitting that their children are involved with such devices.
In total, half of the parents of 5 to 8-year-olds stated that their elementary-aged children use some form of electronic device. Moreover, among those children who use headphones and earbuds, half spend at least an hour per day with them, and one in six indulge in at least two hours of daily usage.
Overwhelming exposure to noise
The widespread use of audio devices has raised concerns among experts regarding the dangers of excessive noise exposure, traditionally associated with occasional loud events such as concerts or fireworks.
Dr. Susan Woolford, a pediatrician and co-director of the Mott poll, highlighted the shifting landscape, stating, “In recent years, our concern has primarily centered around teenagers and their excessive use of audio devices. However, the growing popularity of earbuds among younger children exposes them to more intense noise regularly.”
She added, “While noise exposure risks for young children have typically been linked to isolated loud events like concerts or fireworks, parents may not fully recognize the potential harm from prolonged use of listening devices. It can be challenging for them to gauge whether their child's noise exposure is within healthy limits.”
The survey revealed that children primarily use these devices at home, school, and in the car, while usage in other settings like the bus, outdoors, or in bed was reported by less than 10% of parents.
Potential health risks over the long term
The American Academy of Pediatrics, acknowledging the mounting evidence of heightened risk of noise exposure from personal listening devices, issued a statement in 2023 stressing the importance of mitigating these risks for children and adolescents.
Dr. Woolford emphasized that prolonged or excessive exposure to loud noises can lead to long-term health complications, such as hearing loss or tinnitus.
"Young children are particularly susceptible to potential harm from noise exposure due to their ongoing auditory system development. Additionally, their smaller ear canals amplify perceived sound levels," Dr. Woolford explained.
She continued, "Tiny hair cells in the inner ear detect sound waves to facilitate hearing. When these cells become damaged or die, hearing loss becomes irreversible."
Dr. Woolford also noted that noise exposure in children can impact various aspects of their well-being, including sleep, academic performance, language development, stress levels, and even blood pressure.
Establishing time and volume restrictions
Despite the widespread use, only half of parents have made efforts to regulate their child’s use of audio devices. These efforts include implementing strategies like designated break times, establishing set hours for usage, and using timers. Interestingly, parents whose children use headphones for over two hours a day are less inclined to set time or volume limits.
To address the risks associated with noise exposure from headphones and earbuds, Dr. Woolford offers practical guidance to parents. She recommends following the 60/60 rule, which entails limiting children to no more than 60 minutes of audio device usage per day at no more than 60% of the maximum volume.
Additional suggestions
"An effective way to gauge if an audio device is too loud is if a child wearing headphones cannot hear someone speaking from an arm's length away," she advised.
Additionally, Dr. Woolford suggests opting for noise-cancelling or volume-limited headphones, ensuring children take regular breaks from personal listening devices, and staying alert for early signs of hearing impairment.
However, children should refrain from using noise-cancelling headphones in situations where awareness of surrounding sounds is crucial for safety.
"While noise-cancelling devices can prevent children from increasing the volume to unsafe levels," Dr. Woolford noted, "they should be avoided during activities where hearing surroundings is essential for safety, such as walking or biking."
Dr. Woolford also recommends that parents help their children establish intentional daily "device-free" periods, which may involve storing or locking away the child's audio devices once time limits have been reached.
Initial indications of hearing impairment
She also emphasized that if parents suspect their child might be experiencing hearing loss from using audio devices, they should consult with a pediatrician, an audiologist, or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist.
"Early indications of hearing loss could involve frequently asking for things to be repeated, experiencing frequent ringing in the ears, speaking loudly to others nearby, delayed speech development, or showing no reaction to loud noises."
"Healthcare professionals can support parents by providing a straightforward explanation about hearing loss, helping children comprehend why it's important to limit their use of audio devices."
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