Teacher Toolkit for Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Educator and student demonstrating the tuning fork activity

Welcome to the Teacher Toolkit

NIDCD’s Teacher Toolkit will help you teach students in grades 3-5 about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. It provides easy-to-use resources and step-by-step instructions for fun activities.

The content stems from an NIDCD national public education campaign called “It’s a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing.” ® The campaign aimed to increase awareness among parents about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.

Start here by downloading the following materials:

Then, check out this site: Tips for Teaching Kids about Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.

How-To Videos for Hands-On Activities in the Classroom

These four training videos demonstrate the hands-on activities included in the presentation. Watch the videos to learn how to conduct each activity in the classroom, including the required equipment, number of student volunteers needed, and the estimated time for each activity.

Sceenshot from the "Tuning Fork" video. A young professional is assisting a student with a tuning fork.

Learn how to conduct the Tuning Fork Activity, which demonstrates sound vibrations.

Sceenshot from the "How do we hear" video. A presentation of the inner ear is on a screen.

Learn how to conduct the How We Hear Activity, which engages students to act out the sequence of events involved in hearing.

Screenshot from the "Hair Cell Classroom" demonstration. A young man is demonstrating how hair folicles assist hearing.

Learn how to conduct the Hair Cell Activity, which shows students how loud noises can damage hair cell bundles in the inner ear.

Screenshot from the "Blow Dryer Classroom" demonstration. A young man is putting a hairdryer next to a mic a female student is holding.

Learn how to conduct the Blow Dryer Activity, which demonstrates the benefit of moving away from the source of sound.

Quizzes and Games for Preteens

Try these fun games and quizzes to test how much your students know about noise and when it becomes dangerous to their hearing.

How does noise damage your hearing? Encourage kids to adopt healthy habits to protect their hearing.

Teaches kids about noise, how our ears hear, and how to protect their hearing.

Download Free Resources

Find additional free NIDCD educational resources to download, print, and order. These resources can be used before, during, or after presentations, and can be shared with families to reinforce key messages.