Protecting young ears

By: Karina Chaloux, audiologist, Hamilton Health Sciences

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In my role as an audiologist, I’m often asked whether babies and children should wear hearing protection. The answer is: absolutely! Noise that’s potentially damaging to an adult’s ears is even more dangerous to a child’s. And, since hearing loss from exposure to loud noises is permanent, it’s important for parents to start the habit of protecting kids’ ears while they’re young.

When should my child wear hearing protection?

Everyone, especially children and babies, should wear hearing protection when the potential for loud noises is high. We measure sound in “decibels”. Any noise below 75 decibels (about the level of a vacuum cleaner) is considered safe. Noise above 85 decibels (about the level of a lawn mower) is dangerous and can cause hearing damage and loss.

Activities that may lead to hearing loss include:

• Attending loud events in stadiums, gymnasiums, amusement parks, theaters, auditoriums, and other entertainment facilities.
• Attending auto races, air shows, demolition derbies, sporting events, music concerts (music lessons, rehearsals), fireworks.
• Riding a snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycles or farm tractor/equipment.
• Using or in the presence of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, chain saws or any other loud power tools.
• Participating in or observing shooting sports. The sound of a gunshot can reach the same level as a jet engine at takeoff. At this decibel level, noise can damage hearing immediately and permanently. Hearing protectors should be a standard part of shooting-safety gear.

If you’re unsure about whether hearing protection is necessary in a particular situation, there are mobile apps available for download which measure decibel levels to help you identify a potential risk for hearing damage.

What kind of hearing protection should children wear?

There are three common types of hearing protection products, some of which are better for babies and children.

Earplugs: Earplugs are either soft foam or hard plastic inserts that fit directly into the ear canal. They come in both disposable and reusable options. Because earplugs are usually adult sizes, they may not fit into small ears, while also posing a choking hazard for young kids.

Ear muffs: Ear muffs designed specifically for hearing protection are a good option for kids, since they fit over and form a seal around the entire ear. The ear muffs are held in place by an adjustable band and they come in kids’ sizes, making it easy to find a proper fit. Remember: try to keep hair and glasses out of the way to ensure a proper seal.

Custom earplugs: Custom earplugs are made to fit the individual’s ear, making them the best option for a proper fit. They can fit the ear and the ear canal tightly, and slightly changes shape with the ear canal when talking or chewing. Custom earplugs have advanced filters for a precise, even level of noise reduction. The earplugs can be customized to reduce volume only by the necessary amount, and can filter select kinds of sound more than others so that it’s still possible to hear music and speech. Please note that because these earplugs are custom made children can outgrow them quickly.

To learn more about hearing protection options, talk to your ear doctor or contact the Audiology clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences.

The best way to protect your family's hearing is to avoid loud sounds and noisy activities. The louder the sound, the more damage it can cause, and the faster the damage can happen. Hearing loss may not be noticeable at first, but it can get worse over time. Turn down the volume on the TV and on music players, and move away from the noise, when possible. If loud noise can't be avoided, have your family wear earplugs or protective earmuffs. Teach your children the importance of these habits to prevent permanent damage and to keep their hearing healthy.

When to Use Hearing Protectors

Teach your children to use hearing protectors during activities that are loud enough to damage their hearing over time. Examples of activities that are potentially loud enough to damage your hearing are:

• Attending movies, auto races, sporting events, fireworks shows, and music concerts.
• Riding a motorcycle, dirt bike, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, airplane, or tractor.
• Playing an instrument in a band.
• Participating in or attending shooting sports. A gunshot can be as loud as a jet engine at takeoff, which can damage your child's hearing immediately and permanently.

How Sound is Measured

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Sound at or above 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the faster it can damage your hearing. Very loud sounds can damage your hearing in less than 15 minutes.

Types of Hearing Protectors

The best hearing protection is the kind you're most comfortable wearing because that's the kind you're most likely to use. Many kinds of hearing protectors are available both online and at grocery, drug, and hardware stores. Some kinds of hearing protectors are available in children's sizes.

Not all hearing protectors provide the same amount of protection, and no hearing protector blocks all sounds. Check the noise reduction rating (NRR) of the earplugs or protective earmuffs to get an idea of how much protection they can provide when they are properly fitted and worn. The higher the NRR, the more noise they can block out. A higher NRR is not always better, however. If the NRR is too high or the protectors are not a good match for your specific environment or activity, you are more likely to remove your hearing protectors to communicate.

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Earplugs

Earplugs fit directly into the ear canal, the narrow passageway between the outer ear and the middle ear. Earplugs are smaller and might be less expensive than earmuff hearing protectors. They come in disposable and reusable options, and some have handy cords that attach the two earplugs to help you keep track of them. Canal caps are a type of earplug that have a stiff band that provides a gentle force to seal the earplugs in the ear canal.

Canal caps

Earplugs come in various sizes, but some may be too big for kids to use. A parent should help especially young children insert earplugs, and make sure they are a good fit and the right choice of hearing protectors.

There are different kinds of earplugs:

Formable foam earplugs are typically made of soft foam, don't cost much, and are available in many stores. Once inserted, these earplugs expand to fill the ear canal snugly. Watch how to use formable earplugs with this video.

Formable foam earplugs

Pre-molded earplugs are made from plastic, rubber, or silicone. They are sold in different sizes, including sizes that fit children. One type of pre-molded earplug is uniform-attenuation, or high-fidelity earplugs. They have the same effect as turning down the volume on a stereo: The sound intensity is evenly decreased across different pitches—from the lowest (such as a bass drum) to the highest (such as a flute). You might find these helpful at movies and concerts, where you want to appreciate the audio quality and protect your hearing at the same time. Watch how to use pre-molded earplugs with this video.

Pre-molded, high-fidelity earplugs

Earmuffs

Protective earmuffs are easy-to-use, padded plastic cups connected by a flexible headband. (They aren't the soft earmuffs worn for warmth or fashion.) Protective earmuffs reduce noise by completely covering both ears and come in sizes that fit most people, including infants and children. Earmuffs are easier to use than earplugs, especially for young children.

Earmuffs might not work as well for people who wear glasses, which can create gaps between the earmuff cushion and the skull. If your child wears glasses, check to make sure the earmuffs seal properly and are comfortable. Certain hair styles or hats could also create gaps that make protective earmuffs less effective.

Wearing earmuffs and earplugs together can further reduce sound, which is great for very noisy environments like woodshops and shooting sports events.

Protective earmuffs

Read instructions on how to use these various hearing protectors.

Tips to Help Your Children Use Hearing Protectors

Just as you teach your children to wear sunscreen, a seatbelt, and a bicycle helmet, you can teach them how and when to wear hearing protectors.

• Set clear rules for when to wear hearing protectors. Tell your children that you expect them to wear hearing protectors in noisy areas, even when you aren't there to supervise.
• Shop for hearing protectors with them. Discuss with your children whether they would rather wear earplugs that can be hidden by hair or a hat, or make a fashion statement with more noticeable hearing protectors. Many colorful and comfortable styles of hearing protectors are available in stores and online.
• Choose hearing protectors that fit with your children's activities. Make sure the size and type of hearing protectors work for the environment where they’ll be used. Remember that if the hearing protector blocks out too much sound, your child might not be able to hear important warning sounds in his or her environment, or might take off the hearing protectors, risking hearing damage.
• Make sure hearing protection is within reach. Keep hearing protectors for your children in household areas where loud noises are common, but out-of-reach of small children and pets.
• Be a good role model. Children learn through observation and imitation. Set a good example: If you adopt healthy hearing habits, your kids might just do the same.

By teaching your children why, when, and how to use hearing protectors, you empower them to make healthy choices that can protect their hearing now and in the future.

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