In the U.S., hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition after high blood pressure and arthritis. Tomah Health Community Outreach staff took note of the statistic and provided some sound-safe tips during the 20th edition of the annual Monroe County National Night Out Aug. 1.
 
Children and parents learned about noise-induced hearing loss and how to prevent loud noises from causing permanent damage. Parents were given tips to reduce noise exposure and step-by-step instructions to place decibel limits on their children’s devices.
 
“Kids loved learning how their ears worked and making their own giant ear-bands,” said Community Health Educator Whitney Sanjari. “One lucky winner took home their own pair of decibel-controlled headphones.”
 
Despite temperatures in the upper 90s, hundreds of residents attended the annual event billed as a way to bring organizations together to share information on how to keep families safe.