New Interactive Sound Ruler Released by the NIDCD's Noisy Planet Campaign

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders' Noisy Planet campaign now offers an interactive sound ruler to teach tweens (kids between the ages of 8 and 12) about noise that can be harmful to their hearing. Animated graphics guide kids through basic tips on preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Kids will see that most kitchen appliances can't hurt their hearing, but MP3 players, lawn mowers, and firecrackers certainly can. Our sound ruler gives kids firm guidelines about when they should wear hearing protection, turn down the volume, or simply walk away from loud noise.

The Noisy Planet interactive sound ruler is a fun activity to try with kids at home or at school. To order a Noisy Planet "How Loud is Too Loud?" bookmark in English or Spanish, click here.


NIDCD supports and conducts research and research training on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language and provides health information, based upon scientific discovery, to the public. For more information about NIDCD programs, see the Web site at www.nidcd.nih.gov.