09 mars 2023
Hearing loss in children is not trivial. If it is not spotted, it alters his development and his learning abilities. On this point, a survey carried out on the occasion of the 26th edition of National Hearing Day on March 9 is very worrying: “our children’s ears are in danger! warns the JNA association, which points to the early use of headphones.
Good hearing is the foundation for language development, socialization and learning. However, a study carried out by the French Institute of Public Opinion (Ifop), for the association National Day of Hearing (JNA) reveals that approximately ” 1.3 million children under the age of 10 have already consulted an ENT doctor for tinnitus and almost 660,000 children have been diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss “. But this figure is probably underestimated, because it only takes into account those who actually consulted an ENT doctor.
Headphones too loud…
For the JNA association, audio headsets are partly responsible for this situation. Two out of five parents recognize that their child listens to music via earphones or headphones from 1h to 4h per day! ” The use of headphones is an aggravating circumstance in children’s hearing problems “recalls the JNA association. Young users of these devices are in fact more inclined to complain regarding noise and noise pollution. »
Faced with this situation, three quarters of parents believe that the public authorities should make the hearing of children a major national cause of public health. In the meantime, remember that – if your child uses earphones – you should not hear the music escaping from headphones, especially in a sound environment like the car. A 30-minute break every two hours of listening or 10 minutes every 45 minutes is also essential for hearing health. And all the more so in the youngest whose hearing is more fragile than that of adults.
Identify hearing loss in children
Some symptoms may suggest hearing loss in children. Be attentive to the slightest sign and do not hesitate to consult if:
- Your child often makes you repeat;
- If he presents a language delay compared to his comrades;
- If he mixes up or mispronounces certain sounds;
- If he presents a regression in the development of the language;
- If he often has ear infections;
- If he asks to turn up the volume of the television or radio;
- If he often seems to be in the moon;
- If he doesn’t answer when you call him.
To note : in 2017, a survey carried out by IPSOS showed that one in three children under the age of 6 fall asleep at night with headphones on.
