Loud sounds can hurt ears — Health, 4–6 years
Ears help us hear, but very loud sounds can hurt them, especially when they last. Children learn to move away, lower the sound or use ear protection.
Give ears a safe sound
Our ears are delicate parts that collect sounds so we can hear voices, music and alarms. A very loud sound can hurt, ring in the ears or make hearing less clear. The closer we are and the longer it lasts, the more careful we need to be.
Why protect hearing?
The problem is that ears cannot always show harm straight away. A loud party, drill or firework may seem exciting, but repeated loud sounds can leave ears ringing or make hearing harder. Moving back, taking quiet breaks and lowering the volume let ears recover and help keep hearing clear.
At the fireworks
A firework booms near Ana, and the sound feels painful. First, she tells her adult, “It is too loud.” Next, they walk farther away and Ana puts on child-sized ear defenders. After a quiet break, her ears no longer hurt. She did not need to cover the sound with shouting; more distance and protection worked.
Loud is not always exciting
A reasonable mistake is staying close because a loud sound is exciting or because everyone else stays. Children may also think that covering their ears for a moment makes any distance safe. But pain, ringing or needing to shout to be heard are useful warning signs. Step away, lower the sound and tell an adult.
Protect ears in real places
This matters at fireworks, concerts, sports matches, noisy building work and when using headphones. A child can choose a quieter place, turn down a device, take a break or ask an adult for ear defenders. If ears hurt or keep ringing after a loud sound, tell an adult instead of pretending it is fine.
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