Hearing and Balance Associates of NW Florida shares how to prevent hearing loss for kids in marching bands. Full service audiologist with the best selection of hearing aids in Tallahassee, FL. See us for hearing tests, custom ear protection, tinnitus treatment, ear wax removal, hearing aid

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| http://tallhba.com
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Kids In Marching Bands: How To Preserve Their
Hearing
Close to 6 million American teenagers have some variety of hearing loss, which represents
an increase of about 33 % over the last twenty years. Besides the use of high-volume MP3
players and mobile phones, authorities say that teenagers’ involvement in marching band
is yet another possible cause of damage to hearing. Marching band is a favorite activity for
teenagers, as bands can be found in almost all large high schools and in virtually every
university.
Teens and extreme sounds. Noise levels are
measured in decibels, also written as dB. Noises
greater than 85 dB can lead to hearing loss in
both adults and children. Marching band includes
a variety of instruments, some of which easily
cross over that threshold during rehearsals and
performances. For example, Duke University
students were exposed to decibel levels of 99
over a half hour during drumline practice. What
can be even more damaging than playing those
instruments on the field is playing indoors for
rehearsals. Unfortunately, many youths don’t reduce the volume of their instruments when
playing inside.
Prevention and protection strategies. Musicians earplugs are effective at reducing the
sound levels that reach the inner ear. Musicians earplugs are custom-designed to fit an
individual’s ear perfectly. However, parents often find them to be expensive. Shorter
rehearsal sessions are another good approach to protecting teens hearing, because it
breaks up the time for which they are exposed to potentially damaging decibel levels.
Bandleaders and participants also need to be aware of how important it is to lower the
volume of their instruments when practicing indoors. Parents, teens, and bandleaders

2.
Hearing
and
Balance
Associates
of
NW
Florida
| (850)
298-­‐8407
| http://tallhba.com
Discover more great content here:
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should work together to increase awareness and to implement strategies for protecting the
hearing of marching band members.