Wednesday, April 24, 2002

Recognize Mom's role in preserving hearing

Mother's Day is when families applaud Mom for all that she does. Whether staying at home or working, mothers have a key role in preserving the hearing health of their family members. Here are some hearing preservation tips for every generation.

Expectant mothers and newborns

Hearing loss in a newborn may be genetic. However, expectant mothers are at risk if they use certain prescribed medications (ototoxic drugs), have prenatal rubella (measles), or contract infections that may cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. This is why prenatal care is important.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states about two or three out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing. The government agency calls for all newborns to have a hearing test in the first month of life.

During the baby's first year, watch how the infant reacts to loud noises, imitates sounds, and begins to respond to his or her name. At age 2, does your child imitate simple words and enjoy games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake? If a hearing loss is suspected, visit your physician who may refer you to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat physician), audiologist, or hearing instrument specialist.

Taking care of kids

One in ten children under the age of ten develop an earache that may be due to a middle ear infection. If this common condition becomes chronic as a result of not being treated early or left untreated, it can lead to permanent or temporary hearing loss. Even a temporary hearing loss may affect a child's language, speech, and cognitive development.

Sustained exposure to noise levels higher than 85 decibels can lead to progressive, permanent hearing loss. Maximum noise levels at rock concerts often reach 110 decibels, which can cause permanent hearing loss after just 15 minutes of exposure. Ensure your child wears earplugs when attending live performances of the latest music sensations.

Caring for the elderly parent

Hearing loss is often progressive, and thus is often not noticed or admitted to by the elderly. Consider an appointment for a hearing test conducted by a qualified hearing instrument specialist, audiologist, or otolaryngologist as a holiday, birthday, or anniversary gift.

Confront outdated prejudice against hearing aids. Stress the improved quality of life that hearing aids and other assistive listening technology can bring. Hearing assistive devices come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and prices, and modern technology has significantly improved their performance and appearance.

When Mom flies to visit you on Mother's Day, reserve a seat for her forward of the aircraft engines and encourage her to wear earplugs.

Tips for better hearing to educate Americans about hearing loss, prevention, and care are provided by the American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery and International Hearing Society.

For more information visit www.entnet.org and www.ihsinfo.org.