S2.7.8 For the adult

Noise and our ears

Can a noise harm my ears if it does not hurt?

What this chapter teaches

Thick, soft things muffle sound best because they take in the vibrations. Very loud noise can harm hearing with no pain, and ringing in the ears is a warning.

Three questions to ask

There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.

  1. Which material would you choose to muffle a noise, and how would you test it?
  2. How might you know a noise is too loud for your ears?
  3. What can you do to protect your ears near a loud noise?

After the chapter, the learner can

  • Test which materials muffle sound best
  • Explain how loud noise can harm hearing and how to protect it

What they copy into their notebook

Thick, soft things muffle sound best. Very loud noise can harm hearing for ever, with no pain. Ringing is a warning. Move away, cover your ears, keep headphones low.

Back to the chapter