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Semin Hear 2008; 29(1): 067-080
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1021774
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Hearing-Loss Prevention Practices Should Be Taught in Schools

Robert L. Folmer1
  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, and Research Investigator, the National Center for Rehabilitative Audiology Research, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
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Publication History

Publication Date:
11 February 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Children are often exposed to excessive levels of sound, such as loud music, firearms, power tools, and noisy toys. Such exposure puts children at risk for developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus. For more than 30 years, health policy agencies and numerous experts in hearing science have recommended teaching hearing-loss prevention practices to children in schools as a way to reduce the prevalence of NIHL. Despite these recommendations, basic hearing-loss prevention information that could prevent countless cases of NIHL remains conspicuously absent from most school curricula. At least 10 organizations produce or use a variety of materials in a comprehensive hearing-loss prevention curriculum for school-age children. At least 18 additional organizations produce or disseminate materials (Web-based, video, or printed matter) that could be used to teach hearing-loss prevention in classrooms. Therefore, adequate materials and curricula are available for presenting this information to school-age children. It is time to implement the repeated recommendations of experts by providing hearing-loss prevention instruction in all of our nation's schools on a regular basis. These educational efforts should eventually help to reduce the prevalence of NIHL, which is a fully preventable condition.

KEYWORDS

Noise-induced hearing loss - NIHL - hearing conservation - education - children

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Robert L FolmerPh.D. 

National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland VA Medical Center

3710 S.W. U.S. Veterans Hospital Road (NCRAR), Portland, OR 97239

Email: folmerr@ohsu.edu

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