Infants and young children are more sensitive to loud noises than adults are. Because the ear canal is smaller in children, the sound pressure that is generated in the ears is greater compared to adults.
Increased noise levels can cause stress. This can cause changes in a the body that can affect your developing baby. Sound can travel through your body and reach your baby. Very loud noises may be able to damage your baby's hearing.
Their ear canals are not fully developed, and a baby's auditory faculty is more sensitive than an adult's. That's why it's vital to prevent noise exposures and create safe environments for them. As a rule of thumb, babies should not be exposed to noise levels over 60 decibels.
It is not unusual for little kids to be sensitive to loud and unexpected sounds.
Their delicate ear structures are not yet fully formed, making them more vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss. Infant hearing protection helps to protect a baby's auditory system by blocking out loud noises.
Your child's inner ears may be damaged if he or she is around extremely loud noises or around loud noises for long periods of time. Noise-induced hearing loss is gradual and painless. Once the hearing nerve is destroyed, it is permanent.
Alarmingly, sounds over 80 dB for an extended period of time are damaging and anything greater than 100 dB for even a few minutes can cause permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL is an epidemic for American children—one in five are estimated to have significant hearing loss before the age of 20.
Short-term exposure to loud noises can result in temporary hearing loss and ringing in the ears. Exposure to loud sounds throughout childhood can cause permanent hearing loss as well as harm a child's physical and psychological health – including learning, behaviour, speech and language.
At about two to four months, your baby will begin to respond to the different tones that you may use. For example, they may cry if you raise your voice or may laugh or gurgle excitedly if you make a word or sound that they find funny.
If your baby is sensitive to noise
If noise seems to upset your sensitive baby, use a soft voice when you speak or sing to her, steer clear of loud toys and lower the volume of (or turn off) music, the TV and your phone's ringtone when she's awake.
The problem is, babies aren't capable of telling you if a noise is too loud, so it's very important that parents take steps to ensure their child's hearing is protected. You'll want to keep sounds around your baby quieter than 60 decibels.
White noise may also block out excess stimulation and thus, reduce stress levels in babies. But older claims that white noise can reduce the risk of SIDS need more current research.
Signs of hearing loss in your baby can include: Not being startled by loud sounds. Not turning toward a sound after he's 6 months old. Not saying single words like “mama” or “dada” by the time he's 1 year old.
“When shouting occurs, it's a scrambled mess of sensory input that can overwhelm the child.” It can make a space feel unsafe. “Yelling can result in a baby's 'bids' for attention to feel unheard, unnoticed and make a space feel unsafe to the child.” It can cause stress.
If your child can hear you talking while wearing headphones, the volume is OK. Persistent noise above 90 decibels can cause damage. How loud is 90 decibels? A blow-dryer, kitchen blender, food processor, lawnmower or a passing motorcycle.
Protecting Baby's Hearing
Weddings can get very loud. So to protect baby's ears, you can purchase these ear muffs for babies. They are not electronic in any way, just an added measure of protection for the baby's hearing in noisy places.
The reason why your baby suddenly cries at loud noises is because those sounds are unfamiliar or unpleasant. Plus, it's a normal part of their development. Infants are more sensitive to noise than adults because they have a smaller ear canal. That narrower space amplifies loud sounds even more.
The AABR test involves placing 3 small sensors on your baby's head and neck. Soft headphones are placed over your baby's ears and gentle clicking sounds are played. This test takes between 5 and 15 minutes. These tests will not harm your baby in any way.
Keep your baby in a sitting position; in a place where you can clap your hands behind his / her head. A loud clap coming from outside of the baby's view will definitely startle him. If he reacts with a small jump or cry when you clap loudly, it means that his hearing is fine.
Your child's inner ears may be damaged if they are around extremely loud noises, or around loud noises for long periods of time. This is called noise-induced hearing loss. One way of describing noise is by decibels. Normal conversation is often about 60 decibels.
Although most concerts are not overly loud for newborns, some performers can be quite loud. If your baby is not used to loud noises, it may be difficult for them to handle the performer's energy. In the end, it's up to you and your baby to decide whether a concert is right for them.
Most babies find the sound of the vacuum soothing so you can place your infant in an infant seat or crib and vacuum but not near the baby (vacuuming brings up dust which isn't good for infants.) Accept help from family and friends.
Another study examined six iPhone apps and eight white noise machines, finding that nine tested items exceeded 85 dBA at maximum volume. In general, it is essential to use caution when using noise with your baby because noise levels can cause damage to hearing at elevated levels or for a long duration.
Shush as loudly as your baby is crying. As they calm down, lower the volume of your shushing to match.
A study in the journal Child & Family Behavior Therapy even found that white noise machines set at 75 decibels at bedtime—and used all night—improved sleep and reduced night-wakings in 1-year-olds with no ill effects.