It’s winter break, which usually comes with holiday festivities, sparkly decorations and lots, and lots of food. But, the sounds coming from both my teens’ rooms has me a little less enthused about the season. It feels like it began early, the loud videos playing on their phones — that I can hear from across the house or them yelling with their headphones on to their friends while playing online games.
For them, according to my sons, the headphones are not loud enough. As someone who briefly played bass in a rock band and recently, have been saying more “What?” while cupping my ear, I worry about my sons’ future hearing.
According to a recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Children and teens’ use of personal listening devices is one of the most prevalent forms of noise exposure, research shows. Excessive or prolonged exposure to high volumes can result in hearing loss, tinnitus, or hyperacusis.”
In fact, one study found “60% of adolescents and young adults exceed the maximum daily noise dose recommended, particularly in the presence of background noise, which often results in the user increasing volume.”
How can you keep the peace and quiet in your house? Everyone, including adults, can have a sound check. How often are you using your headphones? What’s the volume? Have you spoken to your kids about their volumes on their listening devices?
Also, it’s ok to have times in the day to have a break from noise. Quiet time isn’t just for toddlers. The whole family can turn off the devices, whether in the car or at home.
I don’t know about you, but my plans for the season aren’t just indoors. I am hoping to alleviate some of the winter break house noise with some family experiences. That’s why we give you some ideas for gifts to family or purchasing your own. Also, no matter what you are celebrating this year, we have plenty of places to explore.
This month, I think we recognize different families and the different times in our lives, some are happy, while others are sad. Also, that maybe there needs to be a reset, especially for kids who had a more difficult first half of the school year.
Finally, while I talk about the “noise” in my household, I know someday I will miss that “noise” but it would be nice if it didn’t hurt everyone’s ears.
P.s. Happy Holidays and New Year to everyone. There is another kind of peace I hope for next year — World Peace.
