280,000 Texas Teens May Suffer from Hearing Loss According to New Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
texas-wide, Texas, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) August 25, 2010 -- New Braunfels, Texas (August 25, 2010) - Hearing loss now affects 1 in 5 teenagers, as reported in a paper published Tuesday by the Journal of the American Medical Association. This represents an increase of almost 33% over the proportion of adolescents who suffered from hearing loss in the 1990s. In the US, that means that 6.5 million Americans between the ages of 12-19 suffer from hearing loss.

In Texas, there are more than 1.7 million kids between the age of 15-19; over 280,000 of them could be affected based on this report. In Austin/San Marcos area, that translates to more than 20,000 teens.

Although the study did not consider the causes of hearing loss, Soriya Estes, Au.D., owner and founder of Estes Audiology who is also a former adjunct professor at the University of Texas-Austin Audiology doctoral program, was not surprised. “With teens listening to loud music through iPods or attending rock concerts, their hearing is very much at risk. Decibel levels of iPods can reach over 115 dB with standard earphones. It only takes listening to music/loud noise over 85 dB for a fairly short period of time to damage your hearing. The louder the sound, the shorter the period you can safely listen before damaging your hearing. The first signs of damage are often ringing in the ears or tinnitus,” she said.

According to OSHA Standards, continued exposure of unprotected ears to noise over 85 dB will cause gradual permanent hearing loss. As Dr. Estes stated, the higher the decibel level the less time one can be exposed. Two hours of exposure to 95 dB will cause nerve damage; for 100 decibels, only one hour of exposure could cause permanent damage.

The JAMA study goes on to say that these findings are significant because hearing loss ‘follows a predictable progression’. Teenagers with hearing loss today will progress to more significant hearing loss at a much earlier age than they otherwise may have.

Other findings - which looked at data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1988-1994 and that of 2004-2006 - included:

- Boys were more likely to be affected by hearing loss than girls
- 5.3 percent of teens showed significant hearing loss compared to 3.5 percent in the 1990s
- The types of sounds that these teens can’t hear (or can’t hear as well) include such high frequency sounds as a normal whisper, whistling, or certain musical notes.

The study coincides with Turn It To The Left awareness campaign by the American Academy of Audiology (www.turnittotheleft.com) which was recently launched before this study. Through rap, the American Academy of Audiology warns adolescents of the dangers of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and advises them to 1) turn down the volume; 2) walk away from the noise; and 3) wear ear protection.

About Estes Audiology

Estes Audiology is the premier hearing healthcare provider in Central Texas. Founded on the principle that all patients should receive superior hearing healthcare, the audiologists at Estes Audiology evaluate, manage, and treat hearing disorders in more than 2500 patients throughout Central Texas. Estes Audiology currently has four clinics located in New Braunfels, Kyle, Georgetown (Legacy Hills Hearing Centers), and Boerne. Estes Audiology devotes itself to improving the lives of those with hearing loss and protecting those who may be predisposed to hearing loss due to occupational hazards through distinctive patient care, education, commitment to professionalism, and attentive personal service. Unlike its competitors, Estes Audiology distinguishes itself as a recognized professional healthcare provider as it is a service contract provider for Medicare, Medicaid, the Veteran’s Administration, and Comal County I.S.D. Due to the high level of healthcare offered, Estes Audiology’s clinics are used as training facilities for University of Texas – Austin doctoral audiology students.

Putting its patients first, providing the most qualified audiologists and clinicians, utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, and providing the most advanced hearing devices and comprehensive solutions, Estes Audiology has become the hearing healthcare provider of choice in Central Texas. For more information about Estes Audiology, visit it at www.HearLifeAgain.com.

adolescent     decibel levels     Estes Audiology     hearing healthcare     Hearing Loss     JAMA     teenagers     teens