We’re proud to share that Dr. Brian J. Fligor, president and audiologist-in-chief at Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness, was recently featured in Condé Nast Traveler for his expert guidance on protecting children’s hearing during loud events like concerts, fireworks, and sporting events.
Ear Protection Is as Essential as Sunscreen and Snacks
In the article, “The Best Ear Protection for Kids to Wear at Concerts, Fireworks, and Sporting Events,” Condé Nast Traveler explores top recommendations for safeguarding young ears. It emphasizes that children’s hearing is particularly vulnerable and that prolonged exposure to noise above 85 decibels — roughly the level of a hair dryer — can lead to irreversible damage. Considering that fireworks can exceed 150 dB, using ear protection becomes a must, even as vital as sunscreen when planning outdoor festivities.
Insights From Dr. Brian Fligor
Dr. Fligor shares why early protection matters: “Our ears are always on. Hearing is crucial for our language development and navigation of the world. That’s why we must protect children’s hearing from birth.” He advises that auditory safety isn’t just for big concerts; ear protection is important any time the noise startles a child or makes normal conversation require shouting. That includes situations like ATV rides, snowmobile trips, or air shows where aircraft are nearby. He notes that while noise protection isn’t necessary on most commercial flights, it’s wise to use earmuffs during bush-plane trips or jet flyovers.
What to Look for and What to Choose
Dr. Fligor recommends aiming for a minimum Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 22-27 dB for general use, and opting for devices with higher NRRs in especially loud environments.
Which type of protection works best? For infants, toddlers, and early grade-schoolers, over-the-ear earmuffs are the safest and most effective option. Not only are they more comfortable and easier to keep in place, but most importantly, they eliminate the choking risk that comes with earplugs. Dr. Fligor suggests waiting to use earplugs until a child is at least age 7, when they can reliably communicate about fit and comfort. For tweens and teens, especially at music events — high-fidelity earplugs that reduce volume without muffling sound are ideal.
Practical Tools for Families
If you’re unsure about how loud an environment is, the article highlights the Decibel X sound meter app — available on iOS and Android — as a helpful tool for real-time volume checks.
Why This Matters for Our Community
At Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness, with locations in Boston (45 Franklin St, 1st Floor) and Beverly (48 Dunham Ridge Rd, Ste 3400), we’re passionate about promoting hearing wellness for families throughout Massachusetts. Dr. Fligor’s advice in the national spotlight underscores our commitment to preventive care — not just reactive treatment. Our HearingLoss.com®-certified practice embraces proactive education around hearing health, especially for young ears that are still developing and building a foundation for a lifetime of communication.
Protect Small Ears, Build Big Futures
When you’re packing for your next family outing, whether it be a concert, parade, air show, or even a fireworks display, remember: Protecting young ears should be as instinctive as packing snacks or sunscreen. Comfortable, well-fitting earmuffs or the right earplugs can help preserve hearing, support language development, and ensure that your child’s experiences create cherished memories — not lifelong damage.
What You Can Do Next
Curious to explore protective hearing solutions tailored to your family’s needs? We invite you to learn more about safe listening practices and how to protect your child’s hearing before it becomes a concern.
Connect with us at Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness to schedule a free communication-needs assessment — a thoughtful first step to ensuring lifelong hearing wellness for your loved ones.
Discover how our team — and our nationally recognized expert, Dr. Brian Fligor — can support your family’s hearing health journey.