University of Michigan
2 in 3 parents in a national survey say their elementary or middle school-aged child uses audio devices; half of parents of children ages 5 to 8 report device use.
While it’s not surprising to see teenagers wearing hearing aids, it’s also becoming a widespread trend among younger children, a national survey suggests. Two in three parents say their children ages 5 to 12 use personal audio devices, and half of parents of children ages 5 to 8 report that their elementary-age children use a device.
Among parents whose children use headphones and earbuds, half say their children spend at least an hour a day using them, while one in six say a typical day for their child includes at least two hours of use, according to the CS. Mott Children’s Health, University of Michigan. National Hospital Survey on Children’s Health.
“In recent years we have been especially concerned about the excessive use of audio devices by teenagers. But headphones have become increasingly popular and prevalent among younger children, exposing them to louder noise on a regular basis,” said Susan Woolford, MD, MPH, Mott pediatrician and co-director of the Mott survey.
“Historically, noise exposure risks for young children have involved single loud events such as concerts or fireworks, but parents may underestimate the potential harm from excessive use of listening devices. It can be difficult to know if your children’s noise exposure is healthy.”
Children are more likely to use these devices at home, at school and in the car, the report results show. About a quarter of parents also say that children occasionally use audio devices on airplanes, while less than 10% say they use them on the bus, outside or in bed.
Half of parents agree that headphones or headphones help keep their children entertained.
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement in 2023 on the need to reduce noise risks to children, with growing evidence that children and adolescents may be more exposed through personal listening devices.
Prolonged or extreme exposure to high volumes of noise can lead to long-term health problems, such as hearing loss or tinnitus, says Woolford.
“Young children are more vulnerable to potential harm from noise exposure because their auditory systems are still developing. Their ear canals are also smaller than those of adults, which intensifies perceived sound levels,” Woolford said.
“Tiny hair cells inside the inner ear pick up sound waves to help you hear. When these are damaged or die, hearing loss is irreversible.” Noise exposure among children can also affect their sleep, academic learning, language, stress levels and even their blood pressure, she adds.
More parents of 9- to 12-year-olds than 5- to 8-year-olds report that their children use hearing aids or headphones, and daily use was also more likely to be higher among the older age group, the survey suggests.
But only half of parents share that they have tried to limit their child’s use of audio devices, citing strategies such as asking the child to take a break, setting usage times, and using a timer.
Parents whose children use hearing aids for more than two hours a day are also less likely to set time or volume limits, compared to parents who report less hearing aid use by their children.
Woolford offers four tips to reduce children’s risks of noise exposure through headphones and earphones:
Monitor volume levels
- Parents can minimize the negative impact of using audio devices by monitoring and adjusting the volume and time the child spends on the devices, Woolford says.
- She recommends that parents follow the 60/60 rule: Children should limit themselves to no more than 60 minutes of audio devices per day at no more than 60% of maximum volume.
- Sound level from listening devices that is less than 70 dBA (relative volume of heard decibels) is very unlikely to cause noise-related harm.
- "A good way to tell if an audio device is too loud is if a child wearing headphones can’t hear you when you’re an arm’s length away," he said.
- Parents can also limit their children’s risk by setting specific times for audio device use or using a timer to keep track.
Use noise-canceling or volume-limiting headphones
- Parents should consider the risk of noise exposure when purchasing audio devices for their children by checking the information on the devices’ packages to identify products that limit the volume.
- But some products marketed as “safe for children ,” Woolford warns, don’t limit the volume to 70 decibels.
- However, children should avoid using noise-cancelling hearing devices in situations where sound perception is crucial for safety.
- "Noise-canceling devices can help prevent children from turning the volume up to levels that are too loud," Woolford said. "But these devices should not be used when a child is doing activities where listening to her surroundings is important for her safety, such as walking or riding a bike."
Make sure children take breaks from personal listening devices
- Parents should intentionally help children have “device-free” time daily, says Woolford. This may involve putting away or locking the child’s audio devices when time limits are up.
- They can also encourage children to enjoy things like low-volume music in their rooms instead of using headphones to reduce the intensity of the noise.
- Personal audio devices should also be avoided when children are sleeping or before bed, says Woolford.
Be aware of early signs of hearing loss
- If parents feel their child may be at risk of hearing loss due to the use of audio devices, Woolford recommends consulting with a pediatrician, audiologist, or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat).
- "Early signs of hearing loss may include asking for repetition, hearing similar noises frequently, talking loudly to people nearby, delayed speech, or a lack of reaction to loud noises," Woolford said.
- "Health care providers can help parents by offering a simple explanation of hearing loss to help the child understand the reasons for limiting the use of audio devices."
