Many teens are already at high risk for permanent hearing loss due to exposure to high-volume music coming from their mp3 players and concert venues. Now, there is also research suggesting that those exposed to secondhand smoke as children have a higher risk of suffering from low- and high-frequency hearing loss during their teens. This finding comes as troubling news to the estimated 60 percent of children in this country who are exposed to some kind of secondhand smoke. It may be even more concerning that, when researchers studied the health data of 1,533 children between the ages of 12 and 19, 80 percent of the adolescents with hearing loss were unaware that their hearing was comprised. Testing is recommended.
Teen that are exposed to passive smoke should be more closely monitored for hearing impairment. They also should be educated about risk factors of hearing loss, such as noise pollution and second-hand smoke. BETTER HEARING CENTER offers customers a full range of diagnostic and hearing-loss prevention services, hearing instruments, and assistive devices. To schedule a hearing assessment, please give us a call. We are New Hampshire’s premier care provider.
P.S. Children and teens who suffer from hearing loss early in life are likely to have problems with functioning and development.
