Raver Tots: A Rave Event That’s Especially for Babies, Toddlers, and Kids

[Ed209]

I'm not sure why I was targeted about this via a sponsored ad, but I was, and so I clicked on it out of curiosity. I couldn't believe there was a company promoting raves for toddlers and I wondered whether the noise levels were being considered as there was no mention of this on the promotional video. In fact, I cringed as I watched the promo.

I looked a little further and couldn't find any information that explicitly stated what decibel levels they restrict the sound to. All I managed to find - via their website - was a comment saying that the noise levels are safe. This idea still seems rather stupid to me because a room full of hundreds/thousands of people will certainly get loud, so how loud does the music have to be to be heard above the ambient noise? And why don't they just state what levels of noise they are exposing the babies' ears to with a decibel figure?

People are also very uneducated when it comes to the risks of noise exposure, particularly on children's hearing which is known to be more sensitive. Are they safeguarding people from standing next to the loudspeakers whilst they hold their babies in the air, for example?

I have so many questions about this. Maybe I've got it all wrong and they really are on top of noise safety.

Here's the promo:

 

[GoatSheep]

Wow I just can't see this being good.

I see performers bringing their kids out on stage. One recent example I read somewhere was Cardi B bringing her daughter out while performing.

I've been to very few concerts in my life, but the first was one my father took me to in elementary school. It was ZZ Top with the opening act being the Black Crowes. He did not bring any ear protection for me and I remember vividly how once the Black Crowes started playing I became physically miserable from the sound levels. After telling my Dad it was way to loud for me he found me some ear muffs somehow, but they only helped a little. Once ZZ Top came on things settled a little they were not nearly as loud. They actually put on a great stage show. It was during the Recycler tour. Other than that though I mostly just suffered through. I'd say this experience was a big part of why I didn't seek out live music very often lol.

 

[Ed209]

So apparently these companies that specialise in raves for kids are popping up all over the place. There's another called Rave Kidz, and they also don't advertise what the noise levels are limited to on their website.

After some digging, I found this on a different site which appeared to be a booking agency of some sort. What do you make of this?

Under 4's are welcome at the event but only if you think they had hardcore enough. This is primarily a music concert event for true ravers and their kids.

Be aware that this is a rave environment with a lot of people, lots of flashing lights and lots of energy. The music is at a level so everyone can hear it clearly, dance to and enjoy.

There will be hundreds of people singing, dancing, blowing whistles, horns and cheering. As a result, some children may find it all too overwhelming so please ensure your child is prepared for that.

The event is focused on music and DJs and whilst the music is fairly loud it is always kept to a safe level and monitored throughout the event and DB readings are taken. We all know DJs like to turn it up but we have overall control of the sound levels.

If you are worried then we would suggest bringing a pair of child's ear defenders. They are fantastic and are relatively cheap and come in a huge range of colours.

Babies are free of charge if travelling in a sling and accompanied by a full paying child - if not a child ticket will be required for the baby. All other children require a child ticket.

I hope they are regulating these things properly otherwise it's going to be a tinnitus and hyperacusis disaster in waiting for these kids, especially as some appear to go regularly. This event in particular is 3 hours long, so I'd like to know what they are defining as safe.

 

[Ed209]

The advice regarding the hearing health of children and babies is pretty much unanimous. Here's some examples:

You want to do everything you can to ensure your baby grows up healthy and happy. You baby-proof your house, you feed them nutritious food, and give them plenty of tummy time. But have you considered whether you're exposing your child to too much noise?

WHY IS HEARING SO IMPORTANT?
Hearing is a very important factor in a child's development. It is a key way that children learn to speak, it is an important part of how their brain develops between birth and age 3, and it helps parents form bonds with their children.

The problem is, babies aren't capable of telling you if a noise is too loud, so it's very important that parents take steps to ensure their child's hearing is protected.

You'll want to keep sounds around your baby quieter than 60 decibels. For comparison, quiet conversation at home is about 50 dB, freeway traffic is 70 dB, a workplace can be 80-85 dB, and a jet takeoff is about 100 dB.

ARE MY BABY'S TOYS TOO LOUD?
Some toys, such as talking dolls or cars with sirens, might be too loud for a baby, especially if your infant holds the toy close to their ear. These toys can be as loud as 80-120 dB.

ARE WHITE NOISE MACHINES GOOD FOR MY BABY?
Some people like to play white noise machines to help their babies sleep, but other people are concerned that they could be too loud. White noise machines are fine as long as the noise is lower than 60 decibels, they aren't placed right near the crib, and you don't run them constantly.

Some people like to place them right next to a baby's crib and play them at top volume, since some guides encourage parents to use them to mask noises coming from outside the child's room. This isn't safe, though. Some of these noise machines can get up to 85 dB, and prolonged exposure can end up damaging a baby's ear.

IS MY HOME TOO LOUD?
Even everyday noises in your home or neighborhood that are fine for you are too loud for your baby. For example, a vacuum cleaner runs at 70 dB, and a city street can get up 90 dB. Make sure to keep your baby in a separate room if you have to run something loud in the house, and keep their outdoor noise exposure to a minimum.

HOW ELSE CAN I PROTECT MY BABY'S HEARING?

If you can't avoid taking your infant somewhere loud, you can always get them hearing protection, like headphones, CEENTA Audiologist Alli Vollmer, AuD, said.

Your baby's hearing is very important. If you are ever concerned about it, don't hesitate to make an appointment at CEENTA for a hearing screening.

https://www.ceenta.com/news-blog/how-loud-is-too-loud-for-my-baby

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The Sight and Hearing Association (SHA) annually releases their annual Noisy Toys List, and their 2016 report reveals that 17 out of the 20 toys that were tested are louder than 85 dB, the level set by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety for mandatory hearing protection.

SHA recommends that parents test toys before buying them. If it is too loud for you, it may be already harmful for your baby's ears. Furthermore, you can also cover noise-producing toys with tape or glue to reduce their noise level.

While babies with calmer personalities may not similarly react when compared to babies with a different level of temperament, ensuring that they undergo the required newborn screening tests will keep your initial worries at bay. The next step is to make sure you protect your baby from dangerous levels of noise to allow your little one to enjoy the beauty of sounds and quietly pass through the stages of learning and development.

http://www.gulfcoasthearingaids.com/2017/10/10/noise-levels-babies-sounds-become-loud/

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My problem is that babies and young children/toddlers don't get a say in whether they want to attend these events or not. People will take their children anyway, and if it's too loud for their babies' ears, most parents will be oblivious.

 

[Candy]

Incredulous...

 

[all to gain]

Apparently Raver Tots was started by a single dad and now has a turnover of 500k.

No way are my kids going near one of these. First, it's way too loud, and second the music is crap anyway. Hell, I put ear defenders on both my little ones just to vacuum my living room, which takes all of 10 mins, and that's if I don't take them out of the room first anyway.

Even at my oldest's playschool they have the music on too loud for the little concerts and holiday celebrations they have. Thinking of keeping them at home in the future.

 

[Orions Pain]

Wow. These same babies are going to be on this forum 20 years down the line wondering why they have tinnitus out of nowhere.

 

[Ed209]

Apparently Raver Tots was started by a single dad and now has a turnover of 500k.

No way are my kids going near one of these. First, it's way too loud, and second, the music is crap anyway. Hell, I put ear defenders on both my little ones just to vacuum my living room, which takes all of 10 mins, and that's if I don't take them out of the room first anyway.

Even at my oldest's playschool they have the music on too loud for the little concerts and holiday celebrations they have. Thinking of keeping them at home in the future.

My daughter goes to many clubs, one of which is called Tumble Tots where they learn to climb and do various other physical things. The first thing I noticed is how unnecessarily loud the music was during circle time where they sing and clap, etc. I measured it at circa 90 dBA. I immediately told them to turn it down, and they did. I honestly couldn't believe how loud they had the volume set for a simple sing-along for small toddlers. At the time my daughter would have been around 18 months old. They did it again the following week and I told them again and they haven't played it loud since (at least when I've been in the room).

This shows the ignorance that surrounds safe noise levels, especially where kids are involved. They could argue it's safe for the exposure time but I'd rather they just set it to a level that isn't on a par with a night club because those exposure times are accumulative over 24 hours.

This to me suggests that Raver Tots/Rave Kidz is likely to be around 90 dBA as the description says that the music can be heard clearly and is loud. The ambient noise with that many people in a room would easily be around 80 dBA, so the music would have to exceed that in order to be heard clearly. I don't like the fact that they don't give a number and just say it's safe without any further information.

Apparently, they are becoming really popular and I just cringe at the thought of all these parents raving for 3 hours with a baby attached to them in a sling.