Noise and Its 

Effects on 

Children

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS, 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 NoiseInduced 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

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 

ear—that 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 

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.

Outer Ear Middle Ear Inner Ear

Eardrum

Ear

Canal

Middle Ear Cavity

Hammer (Malleus)

Semicircular Canals

Eustachian Tube

Cochlea

Anvil (Incus)

Stirrup

(Stapes)
DISTURB THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM. Elevated blood pressure and other cardiovascular 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.

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.

165

155

145

135

125

115

105

95

85

75

65

55

45

35

25

15

5

0

Rocket Launch

12-Gauge Shotgun

Fireworks, Gunshot

Jet Plane (from 100 ft.)

Ambulance, Jack Hammer

Leafblower, Rock Concert

Chainsaw

Walkman, Tractor

Gas Mower, Hair Dryer

Washing Machine

Busy City Traffic

Softest Sound 

You Can Hear

Whisper

Rainfall

Typical Speech

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 and Welfare 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 Decibels®, 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 Dangerous Too, 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

United States Environmental Protection Agency | Office of Air and Radiation | Washington, D.C. 20460

EPA-410-F-09-003 | www.epa.gov/air/noise.html | November 2009

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