It's a Noisy Planet

Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) recognize the importance of raising awareness of the causes of, and ways to prevent, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).  By partnering in the “It’s a Noisy Planet” program, DRF and NIDCD will spread the word to protect your hearing and the hearing of your children.

Children often are exposed to noises that can reach harmful levels and durations. Doing yard work, such as using a power mower, playing a musical instrument, whether it’s a violin or electric guitar, or attending a sports event in a large stadium can be the source of too much noise.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health, launched a campaign to help parents of 8- to 12-year-olds teach their children how to avoid hearing loss from overexposure to loud noise. The campaign, called It’s a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing., features a Web site that offers advice to parents on the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), how to recognize when a child’s hearing is at risk, and ways to reduce noise exposure. The site contains games, posters, and interactive information about noise and hearing loss tailored specifically for tweens.

The campaign targets tweens because they are at an age when they are no longer little children, and they are beginning to develop a sense of who they are and what they like to do.  Reaching them at this age, while they’re forming attitudes and habits related to their health, will help them understand that healthy hearing habits will benefit them for a lifetime. 

The Noisy Planet campaign advocates three ways to prevent NIHL:
    * Block the noise by wearing earplugs or protective earmuffs, like those used by airport or lawn service workers.
    * Avoid the noise by walking away or limiting time spent in noisy environments.
    * Turn down the sound on the growing number of tools, toys, and gadgets that add to the increasing noise level of daily life.

For more information about "It's a Noisy Planet" and how to protect your own hearing or the hearing of your child, click here
To find out which noises can cause damage to your hearing, click here
To download or to order Noisy Planet materials, click here

Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 2009