It’s a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing.® is a national public education campaign aimed at preteens (children ages 8 to 12), their parents, and other educators with the goal of increasing awareness of the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.
The science-based program was developed by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Research shows that parents and caregivers are the primary influence on this age group. With Noisy Planet tools and information, parents and other adults can encourage children to adopt healthy hearing habits before and during the time that they develop listening, leisure, and working habits. Noisy Planet’s three key prevention messages are:
- Lower the volume.
- Move away from the noise.
- Use hearing protectors, such as earplugs or earmuffs.
Children are regularly exposed to noise levels that could permanently damage their hearing over time. Decibel levels from activities like doing yard work, playing a band instrument, and attending sports events can lead to hearing loss. Research suggests that hearing loss caused by loud sounds at an early age may speed up age-related hearing loss later in life.
Updated: August 30, 2024