Two of My Younger Students Have Tinnitus

I was doing my lessons earlier, when I heard a droning noise to the right of me. Out of instinct I said to them, “do you hear that noise”, they listened and said “yea”. It turns out somebody was mowing their lawn at a weird hour. Anyway, from this, the 13 year old just came out with the fact that she hears a constant whining noise all day long and described it like “eeeeeeeeeee”, and said she hears it during school as well. I told her 1 in 10 people hear that and that she must protect her ears when around loud noise and to be careful when using earphones (not to play them loudly in her ears).

Her 10 year old sister said I hear that when I’m trying to go to sleep!! It goes “eeeeeeeeeee”. I couldn’t believe it.

Thought I’d share this story here.

 

I remember in will shatner's PSA he talks about how 30% (IIRC) of children today have some form of hearing loss. Since both siblings had it, maybe it is a genetic thing? or predisposition?

Either way it is sad to have to grow up never knowing silence. I hope they heed your warning about using hearing protection and they should be okay!

 

Agree @Jack Straw Sad but probably easier in some ways. Kids adapt and you don’t miss what you never had. @marc 1974 london seems the most grounded person on here.

But @Ed209 maybe have a word with their parents and get them to block a website called Tinnitus talk

 

I actually laughed out loud at this lol

 

Why would we say that is? I am a 90s kid myself and the only thing I think is different is the headphone/earbud market to go along with portable devices such as smartphones.

 

I'm not sure, but I do suspect it has to do with portable music devices people use and the lack of education about hearing loss and tinnitus.