Super Bowl Champion Sets Example for Parents and Protects His Child’s Hearing

Audiologists everywhere were thrilled to see Saints Quarterback Drew Brees protecting his child's hearing during the Super Bowl 2010.

Parents often believe when their child passes their newborn hearing screening at birth, that the child's hearing will be normal by the time he/she enters school. However, it's so important to understand that 25 times more children will have hearing loss when they enter grade school than had hearing loss at birth! Children are exposed to high noise levels more than ever before. Noise induced hearing loss is permanent and 100% preventable. Brees's leadership in hearing protection helped bring that message home.

Kudos for bringing the prevention of hearing loss in children to the world's attention. For more information on hearing loss, visit the American Academy of Audiology's consumer Web site: www.howsyourhearing.org

On a personal note:

I enjoy working on hearing prevention as much as I enjoy helping people with hearing loss issues. I encourage those who work in noise to find hearing protection that will work for them. That may be as basic as ear muffs or foam plugs or it could be advanced. I have sold custom earplugs that are specific to hunters, dentists, industrial workers and more.

Furthermore hearing protection is largely overlooked in those that have hearing loss with the thought being that "the damage is already done." This is a dangerous misconception because hearing loss from noise is ongoing and accumulative. Noise induced hearing loss is not the only reason to protect ears either. Noise can cause stress and anxiety and if loud enough it can cause injury from vibration exposure to any number of organs in the body not just the ears.

There are many resources on the Internet for learning more about noise induced hearing loss, prevention and protection. Check some of the sites below.

American Academy of Audiology Consumer Site on Prevention: http://www.howsyourhearing.org/prevention.html

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Noise Induced Hearing Loss Pamphlet: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noise.asp

The Better Hearing Institute Hearing Loss Prevention Site: http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_prevention/

Finding Audiologists

American Academy of Audiology
www.audiology.org/

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology - Home
http://www.audiologist.org/

American Board of Audiology
http://www.americanboardofaudiology.org/

Custom Hearing Protection Manufactures

Westone Labs: http://www.westone.com
Microsonic Inc: http://www.earmolds.com
Etymotic: http://www.etymotic.com/


This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/