Have you ever thought about how much we rely on our ears every single day? Probably not, right? It’s just a sense that gets used every day, but in a way, it also gets taken for granted on a daily basis too Just think about it: from listening to our favorite songs to hearing the sound of our loved ones’ voices, our ears do a lot of work.
So, chances are high that you’re aware of certain things that you have to do to maintain your hearing health, right? But you have to keep in mind that all ages need to protect their hearing health, and there might be a chance that your kid isn’t entirely aware of how serious this is.
Actually, that’s why it’s super important to teach our kids about hearing health early on. While yes there’s still technically continuing care in hearing loss, it’s still ideal to avoid hearing loss. So, with all of that said, it’s important to get them to understand how big of a deal all of this is. But what can parents do, though?
It’s Best to Lead by Example
No matter how old your kids are, you have to keep in mind that they learn a lot by watching us, so make sure you’re setting a good example. If you’re blasting music at full volume all the time, they’re going to think that’s okay. You have to Show them that you use headphones at a safe volume and take breaks to give your ears a rest. When they see you taking care of your hearing, they’re more likely to follow suit.
Teach Them About Noise Levels
It’s important for kids to understand that not all noise is good noise. For the most part, they learn this quickly (usually when they’re preschool age). So, you’ll just need to explain how loud noises can hurt their ears. Fireworks are the perfect example, as they usually learn that they need to cover their ears.
But if you wanted to get all technical (and some kids love this) then you can use a decibel meter app on your phone to show them how loud everyday sounds are. Compare the sounds of a whisper, normal conversation, and a loud rock concert. This visual aid can make it clear why they should turn down the volume on their devices.
The Headphones Talk
Headphones are great, but they can be tricky. Now, this is where it gets tough, but kids, especially young ones love having the volume up, actually it’s the same for teenagers too. It might be tough, but you’re going to have to teach your kids the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
Show them how to use over-ear headphones instead of earbuds when possible, as they are generally safer for their ears. Again, this one might be tough, but depending on the device you might be able to control how loud it gets so they can’t bypass it.
Regular Check-ups
Just like we go to the doctor for check-ups, our ears need some love too. Usually parents will take their babies and toddlers to an audiologist to make sure their hearing is in check, but for the most part, never take them after that. Now, that’s a bad idea, as everyone annually needs to have their hearing checked! Yes, you read that right! But it’s not even just that, but regular health checkups too because all aspects of health can affect hearing health.
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