Checking Loud Noises for Your Child

Sometimes we forget we are in a noisy environment. We might be in a Starbucks surrounded by construction, but if we are too focused on our work the noise becomes non existent. Unfortunately, young children don’t have the capacity to just ignore loud noises. Parents have to be careful and aware of living around loud traffic, construction sites, concert venues etc. because the damages from loud noises still prevail for kids.

See Our Top Ways to Soundproof a Nursery

What Are The Risks of Excessive Noise?

Young children have thinner skulls, making them more susceptible to hearing damage, according to the Women’s and Children’s Health Network. Prolonged and sudden loud noises can damage the inner ear. Damaging even one quarter of the hair and nerve cells can cause hearing loss. Children should not be in areas very long that have noise levels above 80 decibels, the equivalent to noise in a restaurant or in city street traffic.

Parents should also be careful of toys that make very loud noises. These toys are harmless at an arm’s distance but if a child were to put that up to his or her ear, they can risk damaging the inner cells in their ear, leading to hearing loss in the long term.

What Can You Do to Minimize Noise Issues for Children?

Fortunately, avoiding the damages caused by loud noises can be easy to solve for your child. Simply relocating the crib or finding a room in the house away from the source of the noise can be enough. If relocating isn’t an option, there are always great white noise machines that help fade away disruptive and prevailing sounds that can keep your baby awake at night.

If you are going outside near a loud construction zone or an outside event, try bringing with you noise cancelling headphones. These areas can reach up to 110 db, way above the recommended noise level for children. A common hearing loss culprit may even be in your home – iPods and other mp3 players. Often times children listen to music loudly, starting at ever-younger ages, leading to increased hearing loss before maturity.

You don’t even have to buy a separate device to measure sound. Most smart phones have good enough mics that measure sounds in db. They have them for Android and the iOS.

On your child’s bedroom window, try hanging an soundproof curtains and soundproof drapes that can block nearly all outside noise. These products are not only effective at blocking sound but can also be customized to fit the decor of your child’s room. Give us a message if you have any questions or comments!