Jan van der Borden, ENT specialist at the BovenIJ Hospital in Amsterdam, covered it perfectly when he stated that protecting our children’s hearing is so important because their ears have to last a lifetime!
Our babies and toddlers’ ears are extremely vulnerable, and ENT specialists are continuously warning parents of the ever-growing number of young children who suffer damage to their hearing as a result of attending loud noise events like sports games, parties, parades, cinemas, fireworks, concerts, construction sites, and so on. Parents are often unaware of this problem and sometimes unwittingly subject their children to noises way too loud for their tender ears. The unfortunate result can be permanent hearing damage to a very young child.
Children’s Ears Are Constantly Exposed To Loud Noises
Everyday young children are exposed to a great deal of sound; whether it be in crowds, the honking of car horns, sirens, and so on. Even in your home there is the television, the radio, kitchen appliances, and the vacuum cleaner, all producing noise that can cause hearing loss in small children. Interestingly, research shows that many children’s toys are responsible for hearing loss in small children, and some toys were found to reach noise levels of over 100 db. Children naturally love toys that make noise, and they instinctively move these toys close to their ears.
The statistics of permanent hearing damage in children are staggering, with 1 in every 8 children being affected. Most parents are not aware that they are exposing their children to such loud noises, and that immediate hearing damage can be caused by noise with a volume over 110 db. Electric tools exceed this limit, and the noise from fireworks can reach a whopping 150 db. The World Health Organisation said that the most common cause of hearing damage is exposure to loud noise. Other points to remember are –
- Sleeping problems and stress in young children can be caused by excessive noise;
- Up to 95% of children will suffer from an ear infection;
- Overstimulation at school caused by noise creates concentration problems and underperformance in children.
Why Our Children’s Ears Are So Delicate
The reason our baby’s ears are so delicate, or vulnerable, is because while their head is still growing, the cochlea, the most vulnerable part of a baby’s ear, is located near the outside of the ear. And we as parents unwittingly expose our children to noises that we ourselves are accustomed to, but our baby’s ears are not. Our children’s ears have more sensory cells, or hair cells, and they still face a lifetime of noise exposure; thus leaving them open to more damage.
Hearing Protection In The Digital Age
While we’ve covered traditional sources of noise, let’s not forget about the digital devices that have become a staple in our children’s lives. Headphones and earbuds, when used improperly, can pose a significant threat to young ears.
Many kids crank up the volume to drown out background noise, unaware of the potential harm. As a rule of thumb, if you can hear the audio from your child’s headphones when standing nearby, it’s too loud. Consider investing in volume-limiting headphones designed specifically for children.
It’s also crucial to teach your kids about the “60/60 rule”: listen at no more than 60% of maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Encourage regular breaks to give those delicate ears a rest.
Remember, hearing damage is cumulative and irreversible. By instilling good habits early on, you’re not just protecting their hearing now – you’re setting them up for a lifetime of healthy listening practices.
The Solution
In order to protect your baby or small child’s ears we strongly suggest you purchase ear muffs, also known as ear defenders for kids. Earplugs can also be used, and they can certainly reduce noise considerably, however, young children typically do not tolerate ear plugs and they can often be difficult to fit correctly. Keep in mind, also, that nothing should ever be placed in a young child’s ear. Ear defenders are a great solution because they’re comfortable to wear and they reduce damaging noise. Ear defenders should cover the child’s ear completely, with no hair between the earmuffs and the ear.
How Do I Know What Type Of Ear Defenders To Buy?
The ear protection you purchase for your baby or child should have an SNR (Single Number Rating). SNR equates to the number of dB reduced. Let’s say you have ear defenders that are SNR 25 and you are in an environment of 90 dB, the noise will be reduced to approximately 65 db.
Ear Protection Is Not Just For Children
Of course, adults too should always consider their own ear protection. We understand that the decibel rating at a race track can easily exceed 125 dB, which is damaging to anyone’s ears. It is recommended that anyone in a situation where the noise exceeds 90 dB for any length of time should wear ear protection, because exposing your ears to long bursts of loud noise is not safe for anyone of any age. The amount of time exposed to loud noise is very critical, with the overriding factors being both the intensity and duration of the sound reaching the ears. Discos often have a frequency reaching and exceeding 95 dB, but because the sound level is continuous over a period of time the ears have no chance to recover.
The Many Benefits Of Ear Defenders
While we now know that protecting our ears with ear defenders can prevent hearing damage, earmuffs also have other uses. Ear defenders for baby can be mother’s best friend, because they offer a peaceful environment and undisturbed sleep for baby in noisy situations. Many parents use earplugs and ear defenders for older children to help their concentration while reading or studying, both at school and at home. And earmuffs offer great comfort to children who suffer from overstimulation.
Ear Protection For Children – Our Recommendations
Zoom Health offers an excellent range of ear defenders for kids, designed to provide both comfort and protection. These ear defenders come in six vibrant colours: Cool Mint, Light Pink, Neon, Yellow, Bright Pink, and Blue. This variety ensures that every child can find a pair they’ll love to wear.
The Zoom Health Ear Defenders for kids boast an impressive SNR 26dB noise reduction, providing excellent hearing protection for your little ones. They feature an ultra-soft cushioned design, ensuring all-day comfort even during extended wear. The adjustable headband is a particularly useful feature, as it allows the ear defenders to fit all kids and baby head sizes comfortably.
For added convenience, these ear defenders come with 360° rotating cups. This smart design allows for compact folding, making them easily portable – perfect for trips to concerts, sporting events, or anywhere you might encounter loud noises. Parents can also rest easy knowing that these ear defenders are certified to both EN and ANSI safety standards.
Regardless of how good the protection may be, if children find something uncomfortable, they won’t wear it. That’s why we’ve put so much emphasis on comfort in our design. We encourage you to try the Zoom Health Ear Defenders for kids and see how well your child adapts to this ear protection. The combination of comfort, protection, and fun colours makes these ear defenders an excellent choice for protecting your child’s hearing.
While keeping in mind our previous comment about earplugs for children, there are a range of earplugs available for children. Offering a 29 dB reduction, Macks Slim Fit Earplugs are the perfect, junior soft foam earplugs can be purchased for £3.99 (10 pairs).
For teenagers who love loud music, we suggest trying the Alpine MusicSafe Pro earplugs, which sell for £14.99. The filters on these adult earplugs range from low to high protection. Alternatively, you might choose to try Macks Hear Plugs are high fidelity adult ear plugs which reduce noise level whilst still producing clear sound.
Photo Credit: “Infant Eats Banana in Silence” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by mikecogh
Zoom Health is a leading UK supplier of Earplugs.
This post was originally published in February 2019 and last updated in July 2024.
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Photo Credit: “Infant Eats Banana in Silence” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by mikecogh
Zoom Health is a leading UK supplier of Earplugs.
This post was originally published in February 2019.
