Promoting Hearing Health in Schools

The following are some steps schools can take to prevent noise-induced hearing loss, by limiting exposure to excessive noise on school property, screening for existing noise-induced hearing loss, and teaching students how to protect their hearing.
 

Establish Policies That Promote the Hearing Health of Students and Staff

School districts can adopt policies and procedures to minimize excessive noise during the school day and protect the hearing of their students and staff. For example, schools can

• Eliminate or reduce construction and maintenance activities during school hours
• Set noise level standards for events such as school dances
• Ensure that hearing protection devices are available to students, that students are instructed on their proper use, and that these devices are required in classes or activities where students are exposed to potentially unsafe noise levels (e.g., music classes, marching band, industrial arts, and technology education classes).
• Implement policies consistent with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommendations to support hearing loss prevention programs for school employees¹
   

Establish and Maintain Routine Hearing Screening for All Students

Many schools provide hearing screening as part of required student health assessments. Hearing screening, especially at an early age, provides the opportunity to detect a student’s hearing loss or previously unrecognized hearing loss and intervene to limit further loss and improve learning.^2,3 According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), hearing screening should be conducted

• At school entry for all children
• At least once at ages 6, 8, and 10
• At least once during middle school
• At least once during high school
• For any student entering a new school system without evidence of a previous hearing screening

Hearing screening might be required more often for students with other known health or learning needs; speech, language, or developmental delays; or a family history of early hearing loss.^4-6

Hearing screening programs should be consistent with the AAP Criteria for Successful Screening Programs in Schools² to ensure that

• Screening tests are accurate and reliable
• The school hearing screening site is suitable and appropriate for screening
• Persons who screen students’ hearing are well-trained and qualified professionals
• Community and healthcare provider referral mechanisms are in place so that those with identified hearing loss can receive additional evaluation and diagnosis, and appropriate treatment if needed.
• Student screening results are communicated effectively by the school to students, parents, and healthcare providers
• Effective treatment and early intervention benefit those with identified hearing loss or hearing difficulties
• Appropriate educational interventions are implemented to reduce the negative effects of hearing loss on student learning
• The benefits of hearing screening outweigh the cost of implementing the screening program

Screening programs might not capture all cases of noise-induced hearing loss. Any student or school personnel reporting hearing difficulties or tinnitus (especially after loud sound exposure) should be referred to an audiologist for further evaluation.
 

Implement Hearing Loss Prevention Education

Education about noise and its effects on hearing, health, and learning can begin in elementary school.⁷ Studies have shown that people who are educated about noise-induced hearing loss and hearing loss prevention are more likely to use hearing protection devices in future occupational and recreational settings.^8,9 Comprehensive hearing loss prevention programs include instruction for students on

• Normal hearing (auditory) function
• Types of hearing loss and their causes
• Common sources of noise that can contribute to hearing loss
• Noise and its effects on hearing and quality of life
• Warning signs of noise-induced hearing loss
• Recommendations for preventing hearing loss^10-12

Hearing loss prevention education can be part of a school’s health education curriculum or integrated across curricula and other school programs by health professionals and trained volunteers, teachers, and parents. For example,

• School nurses, physicians, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, or well-trained volunteers can help provide accurate information and interactive activities
• Teachers can be taught how to reduce loud sounds in the school environment and model good hearing protection behavior and attitudes
• Education also can be provided for parents, encouraging them to practice hearing loss prevention at home and to teach it to their children¹³