During the festive season, everything gets louder than usual, with music blaring through speakers, firecrackers bursting and more traffic on the road. The resulting noise has an impact on many things, children’s ears being among them.
Sudden sensorineural loss is time-sensitive, as treatment works best within the first 24-72 hours,” she added. The doctor stated that the smaller ear canals of children can deliver a higher sound pressure at the eardrum than in adults. There are a few more reasons for them being more at risk from loud noises this season than adults, including: Dr Padmakshan suggested getting an ENT appointment on the same day that a child experiences pain, bleeding, discharge, or sudden hearing loss. “Also get checked by a specialist if ringing or muffled hearing persists beyond a few hours. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. Dr Shrekha Padmakshan is an ENT specialist at Fortis Hospital, Kalyan.
ENT specialist at Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, children’s ears are not biologically more fragile, according to Dr Shrekha Padmakshan. However, they are more exposed, less able to protect themselves, and have more to lose, she told HT Lifestyle.
During Diwali celebrations, noise from firecrackers often reaches 125-155 dB at close range, pointed out Dr Padmakshan. “Impulse sounds above about 140 dB can cause damage instantly, while the safe limit is about 85 dB for eight hours. The physician noted that possible injuries to children’s ears from loud noise include acoustic trauma (sensorineural hearing loss), tinnitus, eardrum perforation, and, in rare cases, ossicular damage. There are a number of symptoms of serious ear damage. The danger is not just from festive celebrations, pointed out the physician. Children are exposed to various sources of loud noise every day. They include:
They include: “Blast injury from fireworks often comes with burns and eye injuries, so it is critical to perform a head-to-toe examination,” she added.
