Protecting tiny ears: Safe listening tips for early childhood centres

One of the most powerful ways we can help protect the hearing health of our youngest Kiwis is by introducing safe listening habits before they reach school. The preschool years are critical for development — and for learning how to care for our bodies, including our ears.

At the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation (DHHF), we’ve collaborated with preschools across New Zealand to promote safe listening through our innovative Sound Monkey devices. These colourful, kid-friendly tools help teachers visually monitor noise levels in their classrooms and empower tamariki to stay in the safe sound zone throughout the day. Let's explore some easy and effective tips early learning centres can implement to keep noise within a safe level

Safe listening tips for kids in early learning environments

1. Keep the volume down: Aim to keep indoor noise levels under 75 decibels (dB). If you have to raise your voice to be heard, it’s likely too loud.

   
   

2. Teach children about noise: Talk about what “too loud” sounds like and how it can affect their ears. Encourage children to speak up if they feel it's too noisy.

   
   

3. Use soft furnishings: Carpets, curtains, and cushions absorb sound and help reduce echo and general noise levels.

   
   

4. Encourage quiet play: Story time, drawing, puzzles, or building blocks are all excellent low-noise activities.

   
   

5. Avoid noisy toys: Steer clear of toys with sharp, sudden sounds or loud electronic features.

   
   

6. Reduce outside noise: Keep windows and doors closed when traffic noise or construction is nearby.

   
   

7. Manage the “café effect”: In busy rooms, use visual cues or hand signals to get children’s attention instead of raising your voice. This reverse approach often leads to quieter, more mindful conversations.

   
   

8. Use hearing protection: When noisy activities are planned (like music time or a fire drill), offer earmuffs and talk to children about the importance of protecting their hearing.

Why this matters?

• Over one billion young people globally are at risk of hearing loss from unsafe listening.

  
  

• Nearly 60% of hearing loss is preventable.

  
  

• Already, 193 preschools in New Zealand have adopted Sound Monkeys to monitor classroom noise and teach safe listening.

And the feedback is powerful:

“It’s a great learning tool to visually show children how loud they are being and start discussions around the need to lower the volume level in the room.”

Together, let's make listening safe - one classroom at a time.