MADRID, 13 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), through its Environmental Health Committee (CMS-AEP), has warned of the serious risk to the hearing health of children and babies when exposed to concerts, festivals, or any other event with high noise levels, and has therefore advised against taking children to these types of events.
Pediatricians have asserted that, at live music performances designed for adults, routine measurements show sound levels reaching between 110 and 130 decibels (dB) near the speakers, levels sufficient to cause "irreversible hearing damage within seconds."
As explained, the hearing of babies and young children is especially vulnerable because their auditory structures are still developing and lack protective mechanisms against sound intensity.
In line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, they have indicated that children should not be exposed to more than 85 dB for periods exceeding one hour, and that prolonged exposure to levels above 70 dB poses a risk.
Given the difficulty in recognizing the effects of noise overexposure on infants, who cannot communicate discomfort such as ringing or temporary hearing loss, the AEP Environmental Health Committee has advised families and those around them to pay attention to possible warning signs after a noise event.
These include inconsolable crying or sudden irritability, exaggerated or persistent startlement at sounds, frequent blinking or obvious expressions of discomfort, apathy or abnormal drowsiness, lack of reaction to common sounds, and repeated movements such as rubbing the ears or touching the head.
In this regard, he noted that the effects of acute acoustic trauma are not always immediate and can include consequences such as temporary or permanent hearing loss; tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, which in infants can only be inferred from their behavior; and irreversible neurosensory damage.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HEARING IN NOISY EVENTS
The AEP establishes that infants and preschoolers should not attend concerts or festivals attended by adults, even if they wear hearing protection, a recommendation that applies to all children under six years of age.
For children ages six to 12, pediatricians advise that attendance should only be considered if the event is appropriate, meaning it has a controlled volume and safe areas, and always complies with all protective measures.
For adolescents over 12 years of age, he noted that it remains essential to use appropriate protection, respect exposure times, and avoid standing near loudspeakers, while also limiting the frequency of such exposures.
Along these lines, specialists have advised that children use age-appropriate earmuffs and avoid small earplugs due to the risk of choking. They have also suggested maintaining a distance of at least 30 meters from the speakers and standing to the side.
In this regard, they have recommended not spending more than 30 minutes to an hour in environments with noise levels above 85 dB, alternating between quiet areas to allow the ear to rest, and avoiding closed or highly reverberant spaces where sound is amplified. In this regard, they have pointed out the usefulness of some sound measurement applications to determine actual exposure.
In any case, they have warned adults to be attentive to children during and after the event, monitoring for signs of discomfort or changes in their response to sounds. If any changes in hearing or behavior related to sound are detected, they have urged them to consult a pediatrician.
