Want a Better Listener? Protect Those Ears
By Cohen, Joyce; New York Times, p. D6Publication Date: March 2, 2010
Article discusses the use of ear protecting headgear to prevent hearing loss in children exposed to noisy environments. According to hearing specialists quoted, hearing loss from exposure to loud noise is cumulative and irreversible, and if such exposure starts in infancy, children may grow up to live half their lives with their hearing impaired. Because a young child’s ear canal is much smaller than that of an adult, the sound pressure entering the ear is greater, and the shorter length of the ear canal increases dangerous noise levels in the higher frequencies, which are crucial to language development. Earplugs are not recommended for children as they are too big for their ear canals. Protective headgear for children as young as 6 months, which includes lightweight foam filled ear cups, is sold by companies such as Peltor and Baby Banz in a price range of 20 to 30 dollars. They are recommended for wearing in noisy environments such as sports arenas, parades or fireworks displays, or around high decibel motorcycles and snowmobiles.
Published by: New York Times Company (Website:http://www.nytco.com)
Link to text: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/health/02baby.html?th&emc=th
