Will the new generation lose their hearing early?
14% of parents say they have consulted an ENT for their child because of tinnitus, whistling or ringing in the ears.
This figure is the result of an Ifop survey carried out for the National Hearing Day Association (JNA), which is held this Thursday, March 9.
The study was conducted from January 25 to February 1, 2023, with a sample of 1000 parents of children under 10 years old.
It reveals that a third of the parents questioned are worried about their child in terms of deafness and tinnitus.
Indeed, 30% of them say that their offspring have already complained about noise and noise pollution.
For more than the majority of parents, these hearing problems have repercussions on their child's daily life.
In particular on their fatigue, their sleep, their nervousness and aggressiveness.
Early aging of hearing
Worried, 14% of parents consulted an ENT for their child with tinnitus, whistling or buzzing.
Among them, 25% have seen the diagnosis of hearing loss in their little one.
"
It is rare to see hearing loss in children of this age, but that does not mean that it is not trivial
", warns Jean-Luc Puel, president of the JNA and director of research at the Inserm.
Read alsoMore than a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss, according to a study
“
For those who listen at risk, we suspect an early aging of hearing,
he warns.
If we are not careful, it is not at 60 that we have problems, but at 40
”.
The researcher wishes to emphasize that whistling, tinnitus or buzzing "
are not the only reasons
" for making an appointment with an ENT specialist.
Otitis, plugs and ear pain are also factors to consider.
"Children's ears more fragile than those of adults"
According to the Ifop survey, the daily use of headphones or earphones by children is responsible for hearing problems.
40% of parents say their toddler uses these sound objects every day.
A “ worrying
” figure
, according to Jean-Luc Puel.
"
Children's ears are more fragile than those of adults,"
he explains.
Their ear canals are smaller, so the sound reaching the eardrum is more amplified.
The researcher recalls that a child's ear is more fragile than that of an adult until he is seven years old.
This is why scientists advise not to exceed a ceiling of 75 decibels for eight hours for the sounds listened to by children.
Against 80 decibels for adults - "
the equivalent of a shouted voice
", compares Jean-Luc Puel.
"
But these are only recommendations,
" he adds.
No specific study has yet focused on children's hearing
”.
Inform to empower
In an attempt to preserve the ears of French children, 76% of parents questioned by Ifop think that the public authorities should make children's hearing a major national cause of public health.
In particular by quickly setting up campaigns to encourage the screening of hearing disorders by Social Security, on the model of those related to dental or visual health.
Read alsoThe risk of cognitive decline increases with hearing loss
"
We must inform and warn to make parents responsible
"
,
persuades Jean-Luc Puel.
When they take their children to concerts, to the cinema or to playrooms, they must provide them with ear plugs or headphones to preserve their ears.
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