Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and the Martin County School System are working together to stem the growing tide of kids facing hearing loss. Just over the last 10 years, the percentage of second graders with hearing loss has increased almost three fold. Eighth grade hearing loss is up almost four fold.

Most of us baby boomers have resigned ourselves to the fact that hearing aids are in our future. Years of listening to Led Zeppelin and the Stones have taken their toll, and noise induced hearing loss is a one-way street. There is no cure for it.

Now the question is: "Do we want this to happen to our children?" Of course not, yet juvenile hearing loss is reaching epidemic proportions. The primary culprit is the popular MP-3 player. Sound measured at mid-level on some of these players can reach 100 decibels (dB) and can cause permanent damage after only 15 minutes.

The "Dangerous Decibels" Program was taught in 7 of the 13 elementary schools this year. DHHS found donors in the community that made it possible for all 14 schools to receive program kits. This curriculum -- designed by the Oregon Museum of Science and History and the Oregon Hearing Research Center - taught more than 1300 third and fourth graders the dangers of loud noise and how to avoid it.

DHHS wishes to thank the following music teachers for their participation: Dan Shaver- Felix A. Williams Elementary; Tom LaGratta - Bessey Creek Elementary; Ivette Combass - Citrus Grove; Elizabeth Jekanowski - Jensen Beach Elementary; Gerald Conjelko - J.D. Parker Elementary; Monty Cancilla - Palm City Elementary and Susan Willoughby - Sea Wind.

Next year should prove to be even more successful, with all but two of the schools planning on participating. Once again, thanks to the participating schools and those members of the community and the Martin County United Way whose kind donations have made this vital program possible.