Can Loud Sound Waves Hurt An Unborn Baby?

Posted on Tue, 26 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 May 2015 Answered on

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I was at a Memorial Day parade and I was about four feet from the fire truck when the XXXXXXX blared. It was on for about two minutes very loud. I am 27 weeks pregnant. Could this one time exposure cause serious hearing damage to my unborn baby?

Answered by Dr. Paparaja S (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
your baby will be all right.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I had gone through your question.
I can understand your concern.

The walls of the uterus, and fat and muscle in the abdominal cavity all dampen sound waves and lower their volume before they reach your baby's ears. The amniotic fluid fills the inner ear, preventing the eardrum from amplifying sounds in the way it will once your baby is born and also dampens high-pitched noises.
Hopefully this will set your mind at rest.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any questions, I am happy to help.
Wish you a good health .
Regards,
Dr Paparaja S MBBS MS
Consultant ENT Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Paparaja S (56 minutes later)

I have heard noise exposure can damage hearing in unborn children especially high decibels. Since a fire engine siren is high in decibels is there any chance it could have hurt the babies ears? Or would the exposure have to be long to do damage?

Answered by Dr. Paparaja S (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This could have not damaged.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up.
I can understand your concern.
This could have not caused any trauma to auditory system. I have already explained you the reasons in my previous answer.

Nothing to worry.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj