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In a recent policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a warning about the potential dangers of noise exposure for infants and young children, particularly at events such as concerts, sporting events, or fireworks displays.
Dr. Sophie Balk, the lead author of the AAP's policy statement, emphasizes the vulnerability of babies and children to excessive noise due to their smaller ear canals and the cumulative damage of loud environments. Dr. Brian Reilly, a co-author of the statement, concurs, stating that noise levels above 70 decibels over prolonged periods can cause damage to hearing, and concerts, which often reach or exceed 120 decibels, can cause immediate harm in children.
The AAP advises parents to always bring ear protection for their children in such environments. Effective hearing protection for infants can be provided using specially designed infant noise-canceling headphones or earmuffs. These earmuffs are made with noise-dampening sponges and solid cups that block loud sounds, with a noise reduction rating (NRR) around 26-33 dB, suitable for protecting delicate infant ears.
Key points for providing hearing protection include using infant-specific earmuffs/headphones designed for ages as young as 3 months, which fit securely and comfortably without pressure on the ears. Parents should also prepare by educating themselves about concert noise levels, testing protective devices for fit and comfort beforehand, and monitoring the child’s response during exposure.
Maluma's recent public comments at his concerts align with the warnings from the AAP, urging parental responsibility and the use of ear protection when bringing infants to high-volume events. The CDC and WHO also warn that even one-time exposures to high decibel levels can cause permanent hearing damage, reinforcing the need for effective preventive measures such as hearing protection earmuffs for infants.
Event organizers and artists can support child safety by promoting awareness, offering ear protection products at venues, and providing family-friendly environments. For example, products like the Mumba Baby Earmuffs provide noise reduction and are lightweight and durable, helping babies tolerate loud environments like concerts, airplanes, or fireworks.
In addition to ear protection, experts recommend limiting the exposure duration, keeping infants away from the loudest areas, and being ready to remove the infant from the environment if signs of distress or discomfort appear.
The AAP's policy statement serves as a reminder for parents, event organizers, and artists to prioritize the safety and well-being of children in loud environments. By taking simple precautions, such as providing and using hearing protection earmuffs for infants, we can help prevent noise-induced hearing loss and ensure that children can enjoy events without putting their hearing at risk.
[1] American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2021). Noise Exposure and Hearing in Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 147(3), e20193164. [2] American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2021). Maluma's Concerts Align with AAP Warnings on Noise Exposure for Infants. AAP News & Journals, 42(3), 3. [3] Mumba Baby. (n.d.). Infant Earmuffs. Retrieved from https://mumbababy.com/products/infant-earmuffs [4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Noise and Hearing Loss. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/noise.html [5] World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Noise and Hearing Loss. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noise-and-hearing-loss
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that parents should protect their babies' hearing at events with loud noises, like concerts or fireworks, by using noise-canceling infant headphones or earmuffs.
- Mumba Baby, a manufacturer of baby products, offers lightweight and durable earmuffs that provide noise reduction, making them suitable for helping infants and young children tolerate loud environments.
- Celebrities, such as Maluma, are urging parents to follow the recommendations from organizations like the AAP by providing hearing protection for infants and children at high-decibel events, such as concerts.
