By Kevin M. Liebe, Au.D., CCC-A
Doctor of Audiology
Columbia Basin Hearing Center
1149 N. Edison Street, Suite D
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 736-4005
www.columbiabasinhearing.com  

As many of you are probably unaware, a new National Fire Alarm Code went into effect in January 2010.  The change is the result of mounting research evidence indicating that millions of Americans could potentially sleep through their smoke alarms during a fire.

Most standard smoke alarms in the US produce high-frequency tones between 3000 to 4000 Hz.  Unfortunately, this high-frequency range is also one of the first to be effected by hearing loss.  About 30 million Americans, or 1 in 10, have some degree of hearing impairment.  According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 18 percent of adults ages 45-64 have hearing impairment, compared with 30 percent of adults 65-74 and almost 50 percent of adults over 75.

The new National Fire Alarm Code would require the use of a low-frequency signal (520 Hz) for fire alarms installed in residential bedrooms of those with mild to severe hearing loss by January 2010 and in all commercial bedrooms by 2014.  This low-frequency tone has been found to be significantly more effective in waking up individuals with hearing loss and those in a deep sleep, even more effectively than strobe lights or bed shaking devices alone.

Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the US.  Most fire fatalities occur at night, between the hours of about 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., when the vast majority of people are asleep.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that adults above the age of 65 have about twice the risk of fire fatality than the average and those over 85 have four and half times the risk.  These figures are especially troubling, given the fact that these groups are also at a much greater risk of not hearing their smoke alarms. 

If you or a loved one suffers from even a mild hearing loss, a traditional smoke alarm may not be enough to awaken you from a deep sleep.  Often times you only have a few minutes to escape a house fire once the alarms have detected smoke.  Serious consideration should be given to whether a low-frequency smoke alarm or some other form of alerting device would be the best choice for your needs in case of a fire.  Speaking with an audiologist will help you determine the most appropriate options based on your individual hearing needs.

Fire Facts from the NFPA:

• In 2008, U.S. fire departments responded to 386,500 home fires. These fires killed 2,755 civilians. Eighty-three percent of all fire deaths resulted from home fires.
• Someone was injured in a home fire every 40 minutes and roughly eight people died in home fires every day during 2008.
• A fire department responded to a home fire every 81 seconds.
• Almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths in 2003-2006 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• About 1/3 of home fires and deaths happened in the months of December, January and February.
• The kitchen is the leading area of origin for home fires. However, bedrooms and living/family rooms are the leading areas of origin for home fire deaths.
• One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less.
• Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half.

• Previous Entry: Hearing Loss, Dizziness and Balance Disorders in the Elderly
• Next Entry: Now Hear this…. Are You at Risk for a Hearing Loss?