Is it bad to take young children to concerts? Pediatricians respond.

This week, an incident that occurred at a Maluma concert in Mexico City was discussed. The Colombian singer pointed out a mother for bringing her son to his show and criticized the decision. On social media, the discourse went viral, and like virtually everything on social media, the conclusions were divided. Some users applauded Maluma 's stance, while others, including Cazzu , warned that the criticism came from a position of privilege. That's why the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) has spoken out on the issue.

In babies and young children , the ear is especially vulnerable because their auditory structures are still developing and lack protective mechanisms, warns the AEP , which recalls that the WHO recommends that children not be exposed to more than 85 decibels for more than one hour .

At 70 dB or higher, prolonged exposure can already increase the risk of harm. Live music performances designed for adults reach 110 and peak decibels of 130 near the speakers, levels sufficient to cause irreparable harm in a matter of seconds for the youngest children .

The consequences of acute acoustic trauma can include temporary or permanent hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears, which in infants can only be inferred from their behavior), and irreversible neurosensory damage.

The Spanish pediatricians' call comes after Colombian artist Maluma canceled a concert in Mexico City to reprimand a mother for bringing her baby under one year old : "With all due respect, I'm already a father: do you think it's a good idea to bring a one-year-old baby to a concert where the decibels are fucking shit and the sound is really loud?" he retorted.

The effects of noise overexposure in infants are not always immediate or easy to recognize because, unlike adults and older children, they cannot communicate discomfort such as ringing or temporary hearing loss.

Therefore, it is advisable to monitor for possible warning signs after a noisy event : inconsolable crying or sudden irritability; exaggerated or persistent startlement at sounds; frequent blinking or obvious gestures of discomfort; apathy or abnormal drowsiness; lack of reaction to common sounds; or repeated movements such as rubbing the ears or touching the head.

The scientific society establishes specific recommendations according to the age of the minor

• Infants and children under 6 years of age should not attend adult concerts or festivals , even if they wear hearing protection, as the risk of damage is high.
• Schoolchildren (6-12 years old) should only attend if the event is adapted (controlled volume, safe areas) and all protective measures are strictly followed.
• For teenagers over 12 years of age, it is still essential to use appropriate protection , respect exposure times and avoid standing near loudspeakers, while also limiting the frequency of these exposures.

You should also use age-specific earmuffs , never small earplugs, as this could cause choking; stay at least 30 meters away from the speakers and position yourself to the side; and avoid being in environments with levels above 85 dB for a maximum of 30 to 60 minutes .

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