Beverly Hills Hearing Center was founded in 1983 by Bonnie Baehr. Prior to that, Dr. Baehr practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years. She was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research and rehabilitation. Dr. Baehr did her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech Language and Hearing Association, California Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
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Halloween is a time of eerie excitement, fun costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive parties. Amid the fun and frolic, it’s important to remember that loud noises can pose risks to our hearing.
Protecting our ears doesn’t mean sacrificing any of the spooky fun. Whether you’re escorting a group of little ghouls and goblins around the neighborhood or attending a Halloween bash, here are some tips to make sure that everyone’s ears stay safe this fall.
Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by exposure to loud sounds and is one of the most common forms of hearing damage. It can impact people at any age. In the last 20 years, there’s been a significant rise in the number of children and teens with hearing loss.
As the decibel (dB) level (volume level) increases, the faster your hearing may be damaged. Sounds above 85 dB can lead to hearing loss if exposure is prolonged. However, loud music or unexpected noises on Halloween can exceed this level by a lot, greatly increasing your risk of hearing loss.
Tips for Protecting Children’s Hearing
Here are a few tips for protecting kids hearing this fall:
1. Provide Ear Protection
Children are more susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss because their auditory systems are still developing. If you plan on attending loud events, consider investing in quality earmuffs or earplugs for your kids. Youth earmuffs are especially great as they are designed to fit smaller heads comfortably.
2. Avoid Noise Intensive Areas
When trick-or-treating, try to avoid houses or areas where loud speakers or explosive effects are set up. These noises can spike significantly in decibels, posing instant risks to hearing.
3. Educate About Safe Volumes
Before heading out, discuss with your children the importance of protecting their ears. Teach them to recognize when sounds might be dangerously loud and to keep a safe distance from sources of loud noise.
4. Monitor and Limit Exposure
Keep track of exposure time to loud noises and take breaks from noise-intensive environments to give ears a rest. This can include taking a quieter route between streets bustling with loud music or crowds.
Tips for Adults
If you’re worried about your noise exposure, here are some tips to protect your hearing:
1. Moderate the Volume at Parties
If you’re hosting a Halloween party, keep the music at a moderate level. Not only will this protect your hearing, but it will also make it easier for guests to chat and reduce the risk of noise complaints.
2. Use Ear Protection
Adults should also use earplugs in loud environments. High-fidelity earplugs are great for social settings as they reduce noise volume without muffling speech and music, preserving sound quality while protecting your hearing.
3. Choose Safe Accessories
Avoid costume accessories that emit sounds close to the ear, such as headbands with embedded speakers. Opt for non-audio alternatives to make sure that your hearing health isn’t compromised.
Hearing Safety for Everyone
After you’ve enjoyed your Halloween, here are 3 things you can do to encourage hearing safety for your whole family:
- Do a Hearing Detox: After exposure to loud noises, take some time to rest your ears. Make the next day a quiet day, and turn down or turn off your electronics to help your ears recover from the strain of loud noises.
- Check Your Hearing: If you or your children experience symptoms such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus) after Halloween, get a hearing test. Early detection can make all the difference in effective management and prevention of further damage.
- Advocate for Noise Awareness: Boost awareness by reminding friends and family about the risks of noise exposure during Halloween and encourage everyone to wear hearing protection in noise.
Book a Hearing Test
Halloween is full of spooky surprises, but hearing loss shouldn’t be one of them. By taking proactive steps to protect you and your family’s hearing, you can enjoy all the thrills without any lasting auditory scares. Simple precautions and preparations can help you indulge in the festive spirit while ensuring that the fun remains safe for all your senses.
Keep these practices in mind not only for Halloween but for other celebrations and events to maintain better ear health year-round! If you have any concerns about your hearing health, contact us to book a hearing test.