The Safe Sound Indicator (SSI) is a small portable, easy to use, educational tool for monitoring and managing sound levels.  

It is specifically designed for settings with young children to show and remind children and adults when noise levels are too high to be safe.  A big problem in early childhood settings, like cafes and other places where people gather, is that noise levels can increase without people realising - and hence the SSI gives a useful reminder to everyone.

Early childhood services also have the SSI to show parents, visitors, and inspectors that they are serious about children's learning and occupational safety and health for adults and want to help safeguard children and adults from suffering hearing loss. 

The SSI comes as a small black, plastic box. The SSI box displays noise levels through a set of 'traffic lights': green for sounds up to 80dB (decibels), amber for 85dB and red for 90dB and over.  It runs on batteries and electricity so it is fully portable and can go in any room or even outside. There is no set- up required. It can be attached to a wall with Velcro (which is included).

Amber and red are warning signals to stop the noise, as it’s in the danger zone for causing hearing loss. These sound level settings are fixed so children and adults can see what noise is at safe and unsafe levels.

Parents and teachers have found that the SSI helps to increase awareness of, and teach children about noise, sound, and safe noise levels. It is an excellent tool to help children learn about noise and to help them self regulate their noise levels.

Legally, under the Early Childhood Regulations services are required to limit children's exposure to noise levels that are potentially unsafe.  Also, it's important for occupational health and safety reasons that you take steps to protect teachers and caregivers from noise induced hearing loss. Noise induced hearing loss is recognised as a significant cause of hearing disability in children and adults (staff and parents).  

Click here to indicate your wish to order Safe Sound Indicators for your early childhood centres,
community early childhood settings, or home-based educators ... 
 

What is the Safe Sound Indicator?

As on the road, the red traffic light means stop because it is dangerous to proceed, so the SSI red light means 'stop the noise' as it is in the danger zone for causing hearing loss.

• Children and adults can tell at a glance when the noise level is reaching 'red light danger'. 
• It's lightweight and portable.   Put it anywhere in your service where you want to check noise levels - from the block corner or beside the play dough table, to the staff room or where parents might stand and chat sometimes too loudly while they wait for the session to finish. 
• Feedback we've received is that people just love it and children think its cool!
• It's a great device for helping children to learn about sound, what safe sound is, and what unsafe sound is.

What is the Price?

The price is $292.50 (GST inclusive) for ChildForum members.  

Go to the "Store" page and place your order now by clicking here ...

Not actual size