Risks with Headphones for Schoolkids

An article in the American Academy of Audiology discusses the use of headphones in school-aged kids. We know that noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is rising, especially in the younger population. Parents have some control over their children’s headphone use at home, but what about the headphones kids use at school?

​​Two New York Times authors purchased headphones from several companies that sell directly to educational institutions. The authors tested the maximum volume of eight different headphones sold to schools, and the results were surprising. Using the guideline of 85dBA for no longer than an hour per day, results revealed that ALL of the school headphones produced much louder than 85dBA. In fact, three of the tested school headphone pairs could top 100 decibels, a level that can damage hearing in just 15 minutes.

To prevent hearing loss, parents should discuss noise and music levels with their child before they use their music devices. Additionally, you can provide noise-canceling headphones instead of earbuds. These help protect their hearing from elevated conversations and road noise while riding in vehicles like the school bus. If the environment is too loud, your child can also wear these in other scenarios, like recess or music class.

Check out some back-to-school tips on hearing loss on our blog. If you are interested in seeing our audiologists, please fill out the appointment request form, and we’ll be in touch soon! To keep up with more news, tips, and information on hearing health for all ages, check out our other blog posts and follow our Roanoke and Crozet Facebook pages.