Hearing loss caused by environmental noise

Although noise in general can induce hearing loss, environmental noise repr esents an important risk far children, teenagers and young adults. Epidemio logical investigations now support the occurrence of an increasing number o f irreversible hearing losses in these groups. Major causes of hearing loss are toys (guns), explosives and electroacoustically amplified music delive red by head sets or heard in discotheques and open air concerts. Clinical i ndications are discussed.