Loud Music |
How often have you said, "If you don't turn that music down you will be deaf by the time you are 16?" The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that repeated exposure to 85 dB for more than eight hours causes permanent hearing loss; rock concerts often expose the audience to 105 dB of loud music. Young adolescents are exposed to many loud noises and must be educated about the effects of repeated exposure.
Initial hearing loss may go unnoticed until there is a loss in the middle frequencies where we distinguish speech. The warning sign for most is a muffled sensation after exposure to loud noise. Recovery generally takes a few hours to several days. Repeated exposure may result in irreversible damage to the hair cells.
The ear is not the only part of the body to respond to loud noise. The whole body "shifts gears" and blood pressure rises, heart rate and breathing increase, muscles tense, and hormones are released into the body. High level sounds also cause a change in the size of blood vessels, a significant rise in blood pressure and cholesterol, spasms to the intestines, and increased acid secretion in the stomach. Research also indicates that our immune system is weakened because disease fighting agents are in lesser supply. Psychological effects may range from irritability, tension, and insomnia, to reactions as severe as epilepsy.
What can parents and adolescents do to avoid hearing loss? Reduce exposure to loud noises over extended periods of time, use protective devices like earplugs, educate young adolescents about the dangers, and encourage regular hearing check-ups. If things sound too loud, they are!
This article has been kindly contributed by the National Middle School Association's Newsletter, The Family Connection.
