Listen Up! Noise-Induced Hearing Loss In Adolescents

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Adolescents Kristen Williams, MD Thursday February 3, 2011 Legislative Advocacy Department of Pediatrics

Background

Current

Pediatric Literature on NIHL

Advocacy Our

and Legislation

Role as Pediatricians

 Sound

• Intensity (loudness) = dB  An increase in 10dB = 2x louder  Normal conversation ~60dB • Tone = Hz  Low bass 50-60Hz, high pitched >10000 Hz  Normal Hearing Range: 20 -20000 Hz  Normal speech: 500 - 3000 Hz  Normal testing range: 250 – 8000 Hz at 25dB or lower

 CDC

NOISE METER

 Conductive

Hearing Loss

• Mechanical problem in the outer or middle ear  Ex: Ossicles not conducting properly, fluid in the middle ear  Sensorineural

Hearing Loss

• Problem in the inner ear; i.e. injured hair cells

 Common

Causes

• Genetic/Congenital • Infectious (OM, measles, meningitis) • Toxic (medications) • Traumatic (acoustic, barotrauma, perforation) • Age related (presbycusis) – Minor decreases in

hearing common after age 20 • Other: acoustic neuroma, idiopathic • Temporary: allergies, wax, infections, fluid, foreign body, medications



One of the most common PREVENTABLE occupational illnesses

• In 1998, 48% of US adults had some hearing loss due to

occupational noise exposure (35% of those were 18-29yo) • In 2001, 12.5% of children aged 6-10 (5.2million), and 17% of 20-69yo (26million) had permanent damage 

10 million Americans have irreversible NIHL, 30 million are exposed daily • Dangerous noise exposure can occur one time as an

intense sound or can accumulate over time (>85dB) • Permissible exposure

 114b dB (1/4hr/day), 110dB (1/2hr/d), 100dB (2hr/d), 85dB (