Summer is a season that most Michiganders look forward to. Spending time outdoors and creating new cherished memories with family in the sun is something to certainly remember. Events like summer concerts, fireworks and festivals all invite opportunities for fun, but with that comes the responsibility of protecting little ears. Many of these exiting events are much louder than we anticipate, and children’s ears are more vulnerable than adults.
With a few smart precautions, families can enjoy the show while protecting children’s long-term hearing health.
Why hearing protection matters
Children’s hearing health is a topic that’s easy to miss. Parents remember sunscreen, bug spray, and snacks but forgetting hearing protection can be easy amongst the excitement of these fun summer events. The fact is that kids’ ears are still developing and are more sensitive to loud sounds.
For context, a normal level conversation is approximately 60 decibels. A child exposed to 85 decibels on a regular basis can develop what’s called noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).
NIHL is hearing loss that is caused by loud sounds that can lead to permanent hearing loss. This includes short bursts of extreme noise, like fireworks. According to the CDC, 5.2 million children and teens are affected by NIHL. Exposure to short bursts of loud sounds can be just as harmful as long exposure.
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When is it too loud?
Examples of noises that can lead to hearing loss include:
- Traffic or subway noise
- Hair dryers or loud appliances
- Power tools, lawn mowers and construction equipment
- Go-carts, snowmobiles, airplanes
- Listening to music or shows with headphone volume on too high
Permanent hearing loss generally occurs around 140-150 decibels with noises such as fireworks, firearms and jet engines. Signs that a child is overwhelmed by loud sounds include covering their ears, crying or irritability. A general way to tell if an event may be too loud, is that if you need to raise your voice consistently to be heard, hearing protection should be utilized.
What parents can do
There are many things parents can do to help prevent temporary or permanent hearing loss. Identifying noises that will be loud enough to require hearing protection is a great place to start. More things parents can do to help protect their children are:
- Bring hearing protection:
- Earmuffs: (preferred for younger children): snug, comfortable, easy to use. Must fit over the entire ear.
- Foam earplugs (for older kids): must fit properly.
- Brands like Baby Banz or Alpine Muffy are popular.
- Pick smart seating:
- Stay farther from speakers or fireworks zones. Watching fireworks while indoors or in a vehicle, if possible, will help.
- Avoid enclosed spaces that trap sound such as loud indoor concerts in small spaces.
- Take quiet breaks:
- Step away from loud sounds every 30–60 minutes.
- Let their ears “rest” from overstimulation.
- Lead by example:
- Parents wearing hearing protection helps normalize it for kids.
- Use Mention decibel detecting apps
- Apps like (NIOSH Sound Level Meter) can be downloaded to detect when noise levels are too high.
What if you notice hearing issues?
Signs and symptoms of hearing problems in your child include:
- Difficulty hearing soft or faint sounds
- Trouble hearing normal conversations
- Complaints of things sounding muffled or unclear
- Complaining of a ringing or buzzing noise in their ears, called tinnitus
- Frequently asking “What?”
- Covering their ears if they hear buzzing or ringing
If you have concerns that your child might have hearing loss, contact their pediatrician to schedule an appointment. The pediatrician may refer your child to an audiologist for further testing. Early intervention is key to preventing long-term impacts.
Summer should be filled with music, laughter and unforgettable moments — and with just a bit of planning, parents can ensure these memories don’t come at the cost of their child’s hearing.
Protecting little ears is just as essential as sunscreen and hydration. By staying aware of noise levels, using hearing protection, and recognizing signs of hearing loss, families can enjoy everything summer has to offer.
