Use Caution When Buying Tech Gifts Which May Damage Your Child’s Hearing
Recent polling shows that despite their concerns for hearing loss, over half of parents plan to purchase a tech-related gift for their child this holiday season. Parents often ask their children to turn down the volume, usually to no avail, but will buy them tech gifts despite this.
Other key findings from the poll include the following:
82% of parents say they ask their child to turn down the volume at least sometimes, with 25% reporting they do so "frequently" and 19% "all the time."
More than one-third of parents who plan on gifting a tech device had not planned on talking to their kids about safe listening or hearing protection.
Most parents, although reporting concern, have not taken preventative and protective steps beyond asking their kids to turn down the volume.
We know how popular gifts like Airpods, wireless headphones, gaming sets, etc. can be but keep in mind these tips and tricks for protecting your child’s hearing.
Turn the Volume Down. Some headphones marketed for children claim to have maximum noise output levels that won't damage hearing. But studies have shown that these claims aren't always reliable. Rather than constantly asking your child to turn down the volume, teach them to naturally keep it at half level. Once their ears get adjusted to this level, they won’t feel the need to listen at a very loud volume.
Take Listening Breaks. Encourage kids to take listening breaks every hour, even if for just a few minutes. This can make a huge difference in their hearing health.
Practice what you preach. Be mindful of your devices' volume and listening duration.
As well as safe listening strategies consider whether products you purchase have the following:
Volume-Control Features. Devices and accessories with parental controls such as volume limiters can help with safe listening. As indicated, however, these aren't always 100% reliable—so check in on the volume yourself, as well.
Noise-canceling Capabilities. Earbuds or headphones with noise-canceling features can lessen the need to turn up the volume since outside noise is reduced or eliminated. We wrote another blog post all about noise-canceling headphones and how they can potentially help your hearing health because of this.
Kid-Size Fit. A snug fit is important, as loose-fitting earbuds or headphones can cause sound leakage—which may act as yet another reason to turn up the volume.
Read more here and sign your child up for a complimentary consultation.
