Child Concert Safety

As I'm telling you to not limit yourself to attending kids only music events with your child, I have to remind you that your child's hearing is just as susceptible to damage as an adults.  Make sure you cover them with sound dampening headphones or earplugs.   The National Communication Disorder Institute reports that 85 decibels and above can cause damage to the inner ear and may result in hearing loss. Concerts fall around 105-110 dB.  
I saw a lot of kids, from babies to toddlers to preteens, at the Pitchfork Festival yesterday, bravo parents for getting them out!  Now cover those ears.

Dangerous levels:

• 150 dB = rock music peak
• 140 dB = firearms, jet engine
• 130 dB = jackhammer
• 120 dB = jet plane take-off, amplified rock music at 4-6 ft., car stereo, band practice
• 120 dB = ambulance siren
• 120 -140 dB = Motorcycles, firecrackers

Extremely loud:

• 105 dB = helicopter
• 100 – 115 dB = iPods used at maximum levels
• 100 dB = snowmobile, chain saw, pneumatic drill, night clubs
• 95 dB = motorcycle
• 90 dB = lawnmower, shop tools, truck traffic, subway
• 90 dB = noisy toys
• 80-96 dB = restaurants

Very loud:

• 80 dB = alarm clock, city street traffic
• 70 dB = vacuum cleaner

Normal levels:

• 60 dB = normal conversation
• 35 dB = whispered voice

Unsafe Levels of Exposure:

• 110 decibels or louder : regular exposure of more than one minute risks permanent hearing loss.
• 100 decibels: No more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure is recommended.
• 85 decibels: Prolonged exposure to any noise above 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss.