Noise and Its
Effects on
Children
fORMATION FOR PARENTSfTEACHERS, AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS
Children often
participate in
recreational
activities that
can harm their
hearing.
These activities include
attending music concerts
and sporting events,
fireworks, playing with
noisy toys and video games,
and listening to personal
music players. Because
of excessive exposure to
noise, an estimated 5 million
children suffer from Noise-
Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
In addition, noise exposure
can harm a child's physical
and psychological health.
This fact sheet offers
information on:
adverse health effects
of noise on children
steps to prevent these
harmful effects
ways to identify whether
your child has hearing loss
&ER&
United States
Agency
What Is Noise?
Noise is defined as any unwanted or disagreeable sound and is often dismissed simply as
a "nuisance." However, noise can become harmful when it interferes with a child's normal
activities, such as sleeping or talking, or disrupts or diminishes a child's health or quality
of life.
Measurement of Noise
Noise, like all sounds, is measured by the intensity and frequency of the sound waves that
hit the ear. The unit used to measure the volume of sound is the decibel (dB). The greater
the number of decibels, the louder the noise and the more harmful it is to your ears.
How the Ear Works
The ear is divided into three parts-
the outer ear, middle ear, and inner
earthat work together to enable us to
hear sound.
The OUTER EAR acts like a funnel to
direct sound waves from the air to
the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
Sound causes the eardrum to vibrate,
which causes three bones (malleus,
incus, and stapes) in the MIDDLE EAR
to move mechanically.
The middle ear then sends these
mechanical vibrations to the INNER EAR
(cochlea), where they are picked up by Eustachian >e
small sensory hair cells and sent as electrical
impulses along the auditory nerve to the brain. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is
caused by damage to or loss of those tiny hair cells after prolonged exposure to high
levels of noise or sudden high-level (impulse) noise, such as a fireworks explosion.
Adverse Health Effects
Noise can pose a serious threat to a child's physical and psychological health,
including learning and behavior. For example, noise can:
INTERFERE WITH SPEECH AND LANGUAGE. Repeated exposure to noise
during critical periods of development may affect a child's acquisition of
speech, language, and language-related skills, such as reading and listening.
IMPAIR LEARNING. The inability to concentrate in a noisy environment
can affect a child's capacity to learn.
IMPAIR HEARING. Tinnitus, often described as a ringing or buzzing
sound in the ear, is a symptom associated with many forms of
hearing loss.
NIHL is a permanent hearing impairment resulting from
prolonged exposure to high levels of noise or by sudden high
level (impulse) noise.
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United States Environmental Protection Agency | Office of Air and Radiation
EPA-410-F-09-003 | www.epa.gov/air/noise.html | November 2009
Washington, D.C. 20460
DISTURB THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM. Elevated blood pressure and other cardio-
vascular ailments can be found in children who are chronically exposed to loud noise.
DISRUPT SLEEP. Noise can awaken a child or disrupt his or her sleep patterns.
Minimizing the Risks
Take the following steps to protect your child from the physical and psychological
effects of noise:
Instruct him or her to walk away from sources of loud noises.
Limit the amount of time spent on noisy activities.
Lower the volume.
Have your child's hearing tested if he/she routinely participates in noisy activities,
such as playing an instrument or attending concerts or sporting events.
Ensure that he or she wears child-sized hearing protection, such as
earplugs or earmuffs, during noisy activities and events.
Create a quiet learning and sleeping environment.
When to Seek Help
Consult an audiologist (a person who tests and measures
hearing) or an otolaryngologist (a doctor who treats diseases
and problems of the ear, nose, and throat) if your child
experiences any of the following symptoms:
Asks people to repeat themselves.
Regularly hears ringing, roaring, or hissing sounds.
Speaks loudly or raises voice to be understood by
someone standing nearby.
Does not react to unexpected loud noises.
More Information
EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection
and Environmental Education is working
to protect children from environmental
hazards, through risk management and
prevention strategies, education, and
research. For more information, visit
www.epa.gov/children.
For information on noise pollution, visit:
Office of Air and Radiation
www.epa.gov/air/noise.html
Noise Pollution Clearinghouse
www.nonoise.org
Additional Resources
American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association www.listentoyourbuds.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/noise/index.htm
National Hearing Conservation Association
www.hearingconservation.org
National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise
National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders
www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov
References
Children & Noise, League for the Hard of Hearing,
www.lhh.org/noise/children/index.html
Efforts Aim to Curb Number of Kids Who Suffer From
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, American Academy of
Audiology, January 16, 2008, www.audiology.org/
news/pr/Pages/pr20080116.aspx
Noise Effects Handbook: A Desk Reference to
Health andWelfare Effects of Noise, U.S. EPA,
Office of Noise Abatement and Control, July 1981,
www.nonoise.org/library/handbook/handbook.htm
Bronzaft, A.The Effect of a Noise Abatement Program
on Reading Ability, Journal of Environmental
Psychology, 1981.
Dangerous Decibelsฎ,Types of Hearing Loss,
www.dangerousdecibels.org/hearingloss.cfm
Evans, G, Hygge, S, and Bullinger, M. Chronic Noise
and Psychological Stress, Psychological Science, 2006.
Griefahn B, Spreng M. Disturbed sleep patterns and
limitation of noise, Noise Health, 2004;6:27-33.
Noisy Toys Can Be DangerousToo, December 10,
2007, www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/12/
noisy_toys.html
Recommendations for a Noise Standard,
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-126/chap1.htm
) Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper
with a minimum 50% post-consumer waste
using vegetable-based inks.
Listen Up
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
(NIHL) is preventable.
Some toys (talking dolls,
musical instruments, etc.)
can emit sound that can be
hazardous to children.
Personal music players (iPod,
MP3, etc.) should be played at
low levels. If you can hear your
child's music, that might mean
it's too loud. Turn down the
volume.
Sound Thermometer
(Courtesy of Dangerous Decibels)
The noise levels (in decibels)
on the thermometer are
approximate as measured at
a typical listener's distance.
Use this sound thermometer to
judge your or your child's noise
exposure. Noise levels at 85 dB
or above can be harmful to your
hearing and require protection.
Rocket Launch
1 65 12-Gauge Shotgun
155
145
Fireworks, Gunshot
135 Jet Plane (from 100 ft.)
ioc;
'**' Ambulance, Jack Hammer
lib Leafblower, Rock Concert
Chainsaw
105
Walkman, Tractor
95
85
75
65
55
45
35
25
15
5
0
Gas Mower, Hair Dryer
Busy City Traffic
Washing Machine
Typical Speech
Rainfall
Whisper
Softest Sound
You Can Hear
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