Noise-induced hearing loss in school-age children: What do we know?

An increasing number of children are exposed to louder sounds at younger ages, which may increase their risk for developing earlier and more severe noise-induced hearing losses. Factors that may be mediators or confounders of this noise exposure-hearing loss relationship include noise intensity and type, noise exposure incidences and duration, and individual susceptibility. The status of descriptive epidemiology in this area and the public health effects of noise-induced hearing loss are summarized. Results are analyzed using Hill's epidemiologic causal criteria. Longitudinal epidemiologic research is needed that will measure children's sound exposures and hearing outcomes within the same study to determine the extent of the problem and to improve understanding of possible causal pathways. In addition, hearing conservation programs need to be implemented more widely, and the programs' outcomes in increasing both knowledge and preventive behaviors need to be demonstrated in diverse locations. Some public policy health issues concerning prevention of noise-induced hearing loss in children are discussed.