Hearing health is often something taken for granted by parents.
Your baby receives an initial hearing test at a few days old and then you all go about your business … until of course, sometimes it’s too late and damage is done to your child’s hearing, oftentimes through exposure to seemingly inanimate household objects.
So, what decibel level is safe for a baby/child?
Knowing what’s safe
Most audiologists will recommend hearing protection for noise exposure or sounds louder than 85 decibels, and government guidelines mandate that employees not be exposed to noise of 85 decibels or louder for longer than eight hours.
But it’s not all about the decibel level, it also comes down to duration of exposure.
Consistent exposure to sounds over 80 decibels could also be damaging so it’s important to limit both the intensity and duration of noise.
It’s easy to think your baby doesn’t require ear protection in the early days because of how surprisingly oblivious new babies can be to loud noises when they first arrive home.
A newborn could go to a loud restaurant or rock concert, and they’ll probably sleep soundly, despite the noise.
They’ll also likely sleep in a central living area with full light and the bustle of a busy home in the background.
This is because babies are born relatively insensitive to the world around them. This helps to numb the discomfort of the birthing process and allows them to concentrate on establishing feeding and gaining weight.
After three to four weeks, this insensitivity begins to wane and babies “wake up,” becoming more alert and unsettled by external stimuli.
If it’s too loud for you, it’s definitely too loud for your child
It’s really important in the first few weeks, even if your baby is completely insensitive to sound, that you still protect their little ears.
As children grow loud sounds present as even louder for them than they do adults. This is because the ear canal is smaller in children.
The sound pressure generated in the ears of a child is greater than that of adults. In other words, loud sounds for us are even louder for our kids.
How can you tell how loud something is? There are apps on your phone that can measure decibel levels, but as a general guide:
- Comfortable noise levels are: 0–60 dB, which would be things like conversational speech, nature sounds, or general house noise in your bedroom or living room.
- Loud noise levels are: 60–90 dB, which are things like street traffic, motor bikes or a live concert.
- Painful noise levels are: anything above 90 dB and would include things like house alarms, jackhammers or a jet engine. All of these pose a possible hearing hazard for babies & children.
Avoiding noise induced hearing loss
Noise induced hearing loss can more often than not be avoided – here are a few of my most frequently asked questions from parents on this topic:
Can I take my baby or child to a festival, sporting event or loud concert?
Yes! BUT at these large scale events you have no control over the sound levels so I highly recommend hearing protection if you’re taking your babies or kids.
Are some noisy toys too loud for kids?
This advice will benefit you and your kids … Some noise-making toys are INSANELY loud (and annoying).
Because children play with toys close to their face, 80-90 dB noises can be damaging for their hearing, especially with prolonged use. Try to test the noise levels of toys before you buy them.
If you’re given a toy that makes excessively loud sounds simply take the batteries out. You can also place tape over the speaker to dull the noise.
What should parents be aiming for with television/radio/music volume?
Sound systems have come a long way both in cars and homes, be conscious of what volume you set yours to with children around.
Is it OK to take my kids to see fireworks displays?
The closer you are, the louder they’ll be – there are regulations around how close crowds can be, especially in Australia. As a general rule, if you’re in the thick of things, take hearing protection for kids.
Are white noise machines OK for prolonged use?
Absolutely yes! I’m a HUGE fan of white noise BUT you’ll probably find the loudest setting on the machine isn’t a safe level to leave on for continuous play.
Work out what the safe volume is and don’t put it right next to your baby’s head.
What about household appliances (vacuum, hair dryer, blender, coffee grinders)?
You may find your kids are far more sensitive to these than you are (remember loud noises are louder for kids) so be conscious when you use them and avoid using them right next to the kids.
Does my baby need to wear ear protection on the flight?
Lots of people do this, and lots of companies selling ear protection will tell you to do this, but generally it’s not needed, audiologists aren’t worried about the noise inside commercial aircraft cabins.
Most of the time the hum of the engines is very similar to the white noise you’d be playing in their room anyway (and they love it!).
If you use earmuffs for babies on flights it’s less about safety and more about protecting their sleep from other children crying during the flight.
What ear protection should I use to protect my child’s hearing?
Earplugs are not recommended for infants, toddlers or young children, as they are small enough to present a choking hazard.
For babies I recommend ear muffs – there are lots of cute options available with softer adjustable (washable) bands for babies and more robust headbands for older kids.
Noise-cancelling headphones for babies and children will be measured with a NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) each jurisdiction will have safety standards these products need to adhere to – whatever brand you pick, make sure they are compliant with these standards.
Older children can use ear putty or appropriate sized ear plugs as hearing protectors.
Beyond exposure to loud sounds, causes of hearing problems in children include otitis media (infection of the middle ear), genetic disorders, and certain diseases (such as meningitis)
You can get your child’s hearing checked at any time if you are concerned with a referral to an audiologist.
It’s important to note that our hearing can change over time. Continue to protect your child’s hearing and to monitor your child’s hearing and speech as they grow and discuss any concerns with your GP or pediatrician.
