Noise Can Affect Learning! What Did You Say?

Did you know that
noises that are too loud and last too long can be harmful to hearing?

Did you know that
if your child can’t hear someone who is two feet away from him/her, the noise level may be loud enough to affect hearing?

Did you know that
if damaged, the hearing nerve and its sensory nerve cells do not regenerate?

Did you know that
noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) can be gradual, painless and permanent?

Did you know that
noise can affect other parts of the body and body systems, and can adversely affect learning and concentration?

Did you know that
even a small loss of hearing can affect your child’s quality of life?

Noise is unwanted sound that can negatively affect your child’s psychological well being. Noise levels are measured in decibels. Louder noises result in higher decibel levels. Repeated and prolonged exposure to any noise at 85 decibels or above can cause gradual hearing loss. Our children do not adjust or have the ability to tune out dangerous noise. Unfortunately, our environment is full of unwanted noise. Toys, household appliances and recreation activities can create dangerous levels of noise. Common yard care and workshop tools often create harmful noise levels. Leisure and sporting events also create loud noise that can adversely affect hearing.

NOISE can affect our children’s health and their ability learn. Noise can make it difficult to communicate. More concentration is needed to listen in a noisy environment. Noise increases blood pressure, breathing rate and can effect digestion. extended exposure to loud noise can cause an upset stomach and can affect sleep. Environmental noise can have a negative impact on learning and behavior. Noise induced hearing loss can affect a child’s receptive and expressive communication skills and can result in learning problems and reduced academic achievement.

Following are ten simple actions that parents can take to protect their children from unwanted and potentially dangerous levels of noise:

Model and teach your child to…

1. discover/learn how loud noise can affect people (see noise meter link below),
2. look for a noise rating on potentially noisy products.
3. remove batteries from loud toys,
4. take initiative to avoid exposure to noise,
5. make the decision to walk away from a loud situation to give his/her ears a break,
6. take initiative to sit away from the source of the sound,
7. quiet down and turn down the noise when appropriate,
8. take initiative to ask others to turn down the volume,
9. notice how professionals protect their ears when exposed to loud noise,
10. use ear protection and/or protective earmuffs to block loud noise,

Noise Meter: http://tinyurl.com/ldowyx
Go to this link with your child, to find a virtual noise meter. Use the meter together to learn more sound intensity and dB (decibel) levels of common objects.

If you suspect that your child has hearing difficulty, s/he should be examined by a professional. Difficulty with hearing can affect learning. Early intervention is important with all learning issues, and can make a positive long-term difference.

If you need to find a tutor for your child, compare solutions and decide which is best for your family.