CLASSROOM ACOUSTICS & LEARNING
Noise poses a serious threat to our children’s hearing, health, learning and behavior. Recent research suggests that quiet promotes an environment which will foster learning, as well as the opportunity for parents and children to enjoy each other’s company. Parents must analyze their own home and recreational activities and make every effort to include quiet times with their children, reading, talking around the dinner table and listening to their children.
Birthday & Holiday Gifts for Children
Noise harms our children's hearing, language acquisition, reading and learning skills, and social interactions. The effects of noise on our children's development has received too little focus. Parents must make it their business to lower the decibel level in their children's lives. Health experts agree that continuous exposure to noise over 85 decibels (about the loudness level of city traffic), over time, will eventually harm hearing.
AVOID
NOISY TOYS: Certain rattles, squeaky toys, toy telephones, and musical toys measure over 110 decibels (comparable to power tools). Children play with these toys close to their ears and manufacturers do not warn parents that sounds emitted from toys may be damaging to hearing. Parents must listen to toys before buying them and if the toy sounds too loud, don't buy it!
VIDEO ARCADES: Noise levels at video arcades can exceed 110 decibels (the level of factory machinery). Parents should limit their children's time at these arcades.
COMPUTER GAMES & STEREO SYSTEMS: Children should be cautioned to keep the volume down. Some systems are as high as 135 decibels (the level of a jackhammer).
PERSONAL STEREO SYSTEMS WITH HEADPHONES: These systems have been known to produce sound levels as loud as 105 - 110 decibels. Children who listen to music this loud, for several hours a day, face an inevitable hearing loss.
LOUD MOVIES: Action movies have the volume turned up well beyond 90 decibels, exposing young ears to exceedingly loud sounds. The message sent out by these loud movies that "loud is cool" is a risky one. Parents should ask movie distributors and theater owners to lower the decibel level.
ENCOURAGE
During the holidays, remember that quiet times foster an environment where parents and children can spend time together reading, talking and listening to each other. The League for the Hard of Hearing recommends:
- BOOKS: Reading to young children helps develop their reading skills and serves to forge closer relationships between parents and children. Children of all ages should be encouraged to read.
- EDUCATIONAL TOYS: Low-volume, educational computer games, puzzles, construction sets, and card games allow children to learn while playing in quiet, creative settings.
- QUIET MOVIES: Family oriented films that focus on warm interpersonal relationships are a nice way to spend the holiday season.
- VISITS TO LIBRARIES & MUSEUMS: Quiet outings spent together with family and friends can be a fun way to enjoy the holidays.
If you have to shout to be heard three feet away, then the noise is too loud and is damaging your hearing. Turn down the volume or wear hearing protection.
