Chapter 15 – Noise

The ear is the most powerful sensor in the human body; whether awake or asleep, over 80% of the brain’s stimulation originates from this organ. It plays a fundamental role in neural stimulation and is crucial for the development of brain plasticity.

The importance of this organ is evident even during intrauterine life: starting from four and a half months of pregnancy, it becomes functional and begins to interact with the brain and central nervous system.

A newborn’s hearing capacity is almost equal to that of an adult, but their threshold for reacting to noise is much lower: an unfamiliar sound, even faint, can startle them. Getting used to household noises is part of their developmental process, so the baby shouldn’t be isolated in silence. Instead, it’s important to exercise a bit of caution and common sense. At birth, a baby’s ear canals are much smaller than those of adults, so loud and prolonged sounds could negatively affect them, potentially damaging their hearing.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, during the first months of life, a baby should not be exposed to noise levels above 45 decibels (15).

It is therefore advised not to expose an infant to noise that exceeds this threshold. A dishwasher typically produces between 45 and 60 decibels. A vacuum cleaner can reach 70–80 decibels. Even sounds made by some toys might be too loud.

In fact, a study published in Pediatrics found that some sound-producing toys on the market can reach 79 decibels, with peaks of 85, very close to the 90 decibels produced by a pneumatic hammer!

Sound is essential for a baby’s sensory development, but it should not be forced. Occasionally allowing the baby to rest in silence is beneficial, helping them become aware of background sounds and the wonderful noises of nature.