Although I do not endorse a specific manufacturer, Natus makes a product called Minimuffs that reduces sound levels by at least 7 dB. By using a muff that covers the pinnae, you avoid this problem. This could make the debris less likely to migrate out naturally. Without an otoscopic inspection, you do not know whether you are pushing debris and/or cerumen further into the canal. This usually will naturally migrate out over a period of days or weeks. Neonates often have debris in the canal due to the birth process. If you decide to provide noise protection to decrease the likelihood of noise induced hearing loss or for promoting a good environment for physiologic reasons, I would suggest that you use over-the-ear coverage rather than inserting a plug into the ear. Aside from noise exposure, high noise levels can be physiological stressors (e.g., increased heartrate) and this is another reason to try to provide noise protection. For 96 dBA up to 3 hours would be permissible. For 95 dBA up to 4 hours of exposure would be permissible. If we use the adult regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration specifies that measures be made with the A scale and a slow response time. Furthermore, we don't know if they are more susceptible to noise induced hearing loss than adults. We do not have regulations or guidelines specific for neonates. When taking sound level measures, the A-weighting scale is typically used because it is the most similar to the response of the adult human ear. First, are the levels cited high enough to cause concern? Second, if noise protection is pursued, what is the best approach? The decibel levels cited were given without a weighting scale. Do you have any guidance as to whom to contact or any info on this? Answer She has been using small foam plugs, cut and tapered to protect the hearing of the neonates, but wonders what is the correct procedure. They use small sound meters in the incubators that are reading high levels of about 95-97dB. Question A nurse at a local hospital has called our office seeking information about hearing conservation guidelines for neonatal babies being air transported.

Natus minimuffs