Here is a list of sounds and decibels to give you an idea: ·0 The softest sound a person can hear with normal hearing aka “hearing threshold” ·10 normal breathing ·20 whispering at 5 feet, broadcasting studio, rustling leaves ·30 soft whisper, library ·50 rainfall, light traffic, average home ·60 normal conversation, air conditioning unit ·80 alarm clock ·85 noisy restaurant ·90 city traffic ·110-120 rock concert, speedboat, headphones on maximum ·110 shouting in ear, baby crying, many power tools ·120 thunder, jet takeoff at 200’ ·130-140 firecracker, gunshot, powerful car speakers ·180 rocket launching According to Noise Center, musical toys measure over 110 decibels, comparable to many power tools.

TEENS

With your teenagers, pay special attention. So many of things they love are not advisable:

Clubs and discos, 91 - 96 dBA + Dance floor, 85 - 100 dBA At bar, 90 dBA or more Personal stereo systems. 60 - 114 dBA Rock concerts, 100 dBA or more average Car stereos, up to 154 dBA in car!! Home stereo, 80 - 115 dBA

If you take your kids hunting or to shooting range, take hearing protectors along. Firearms are all high and a single exposure can cause permanent hearing loss. Examples, 12-guage shotgun, 150-165 dB, shotgun, 163-172 dB, rifle, 143-170 dB. Most firearms start at 100 dB and can go as high as 190 Db.

You may also assign your older child or teenage chores involving power tools which require supervision for safety, including hearing safety.

Also note than a firecracker can cause immediate damage.

RECREATION

Two other things children and teens like should be monitored. Noise levels at video arcades can exceed 100 decibels (similar to factory machinery), and computer games and stereo systems can go as high as 135 dB (the level of a jackhammer), with car stereos reaching up to 154 dB, and an action movie is generally beyond 90 dB.

No one knows exactly what level damages a child’s ears, but Noise Center’s Rule of Thumb is: IF YOU HAVE TO SHOUT TO BE HEARD THREE FEET AWAY, THE NOISE IS TOO LOUD AND IS DAMAGING TO YOUR HEARING. Don’t let your child become a statistic. According to Dangerous Decibels, approximately 30 million Americans have hearing loss, and 50 million have tinnitus, an early indicator. According to a study done by Montgomery and Fujukawa in 1992, “Over last 10 years, percentage of 2nd graders with hearing loss has increased 2.8 times; hearing loss in 8th graders has increased over 4 times.”

Check with your child’s pediatrician for specific information. This is not medical advice.

*According to 3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [Niskar, 2000]. Reported on DangerousDecibels.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1.Educate yourself about noise levels 2.Provide your child with peace and quiet 3.Make it clear you value peace and quiet 4.Counteract that “loud is cool” 5.Ask your local theater to lower decibel levels 6.Provide ear protection 7.Model good hearing protection 8.Include instruction same way you do when you tell them brushing their teeth twice a day prevents tooth decay 9.Turn down volume of everything at home and tell your child why you’re doing it

3. Check out your child’s toys.

A noisy squeeze toy is rated 135 decibels (dB) by League for Hard of Hearing. If a sound reaches 85 dB or stronger, it can cause permanent damage to your hearing.

A recent study by Henry Ford Health System found that many current toys, including tape recorders, bike horns, cap guns, and toy telephones, are not safe for your child’s hearing. Of 25 they tested, more than half made sounds higher than 115 dBs.

4. Ask your local theater to lower decibel levels and work with your child's school.

Action movies generally go beyond 90 dB, video arcades can exceed 100 decibels (similar to factory machinery), computer games and stereo systems can go as high as 135 dB (the level of a jackhammer), and car stereos reaching up to 154 dB.

5. Provide ear protection when necessary and model by using it yourself.

Such as if you take your child hunting or a to a shooting range or use firecrackers or power tools.

6. Include instruction same way you do when you tell your child brushing their teeth twice a day prevents tooth decay.