December 2, 2004 – Toddlers, some even from birth, are often subjected to noise levels that greatly exceed the recommendations issued by the authorities.
In the nursery
In Quebec, 5,249 children1 were born prematurely in 2000-2001, or 7.5% of all births that occurred during that year. As attentive as the care they receive, the quality of the rest they need is poor, according to recent studies2.
Associate Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Program at the University of Ottawa, Chantal Laroche verified noise exposure in infants treated in a neonatal intensive care unit at the Children’s Hospital of the East from Ontario. According to the data she has collected there, the peace of mind required to sleep well seems inaccessible to premature infants.
From the outset, it should be noted that in order to ensure an environment conducive to sleep in adults, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a sound environment of 30 decibels (dB) continuously, with peaks no. not exceeding 45 dB.
See our sound level scale.
At all times of the day and night, these newborns are exposed to noises ranging from 48 dB (ventilator) to 75 dB (cradle bars). Other sources of noise include various essential devices, such as heart monitors and intravenous pumps (66 and 68 dB), the inevitable crying of other babies (69 dB), as well as the unfortunate slamming of doors (71 dB) and conversations of healthcare teams (64 dB, accounting for 38% of ambient noise).
The harmful effects of noise in premature infants are poorly documented. According to Chantal Laroche, however, several hypotheses link noise to significant changes in behavioral and physiological responses in these children, to reduced sensitivity to auditory stimulation, as well as to attention deficits and language difficulties.
At daycare and at home
In the many daycares, early childhood centers and daycare services, more than 16,000 employees and 85,000 children live daily in an environment that can, at times, be as noisy as a factory, with peaks of 90 dB – which is equivalent to the noise of a lawn mower! Fortunately, a government guide on noise reduction in childcare centers is expected in 2005.
At home, children are not left out. According to Chantal Laroche, from 75% to 85% of sound toys3 intended for children exceed the Canadian noise standard. This specifies that this type of product must not emit sounds beyond … 100 dB, which is equivalent to the atmosphere in a nightclub! Things could change, however: last October, the Canadian Coalition Against Noisy Toys was created, in particular to change the regulations and ensure compliance.
There are many concerns about the harmful effects of noise in children: risk of permanent and irreversible hearing impairment, interference with communication, effects on daytime sleep (which can lead to various socio-emotional disorders), stress and attention difficulties. .
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. Data from the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services, accessible at www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/statistiques [site consulté le 2 décembre 2004]
2. Milette IH, Carnevale FA, I’m trying to heal … Noise levels in a pediatric intensive care unit, Dynamics. Winter 2003, Vol. 14, No 4, 14-21.
3. On this subject, see a dossier from the magazine Consumption, published in the fall of 2004 by the Option-Consommateurs organization: www.option-consommateurs.org [site consulté le 3 décembre 2004].
