Summertime with little ones can be full of magical moments, including warm pool days, summer camps and Fourth of July fireworks.
Fireworks are beautiful, but did you know they can be harmful to your little one’s ears? Learn what you can do to protect your child’s hearing this Fourth of July.
Without protection, noise levels at 85 decibels (dB) or above can harm a child’s hearing. Fireworks can exceed 150 decibels. That’s louder than a jet plane!
Several factors play a role in whether a loud sound will damage hearing, including:
There are two main types of hearing protection devices: earmuffs and ear plugs. Although both can reduce sound levels reaching the ear, we recommend earmuffs for babies. Many earmuffs are specifically designed for children under the age of 2 years.
Child-sized ear plugs are designed for children’s ears, but some may still be too large for small children. Never trim them down, as this will impact the fit – and effectiveness – of the device. Stick with earmuffs until your child can wear earplugs properly.
Be sure to check the noise reduction rating (NRR) on your hearing protection before you buy it. The higher the NRR number, the greater the protection. Follow the user instructions to ensure proper placement of your hearing protection devices.
Phoenix Children’s Audiology Program offers hearing evaluations and treatments for children of all ages. As one of the premier pediatric audiology centers in the Southwest, we provide excellent pediatric hearing care across the Valley with services at Phoenix Children’s Thomas Campus and our East Valley location. We look forward to meeting you and your family!
Bhatt, J.M., Lin, H.W. and Bhattacharyya, N. (2020), Epidemiology and gender differences in pediatric recreational and firearms noise exposure in the USA. The Laryngoscope, 130: 541-545. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.27958
For more information When Do Babies Need Ear Protection, please get in touch with us!