A baby at the Taylor Swift concert: what are the rules to follow when taking a child there?

Music star Taylor Swift gave her second concert at Paris La Défense Arena on Friday May 10. Beyond the singer's performance, it's a photo that got Internet users talking.

A baby lying on the floor on a blanket, asleep during the concert

This photo is that of a sleeping infant, lying on the floor, in the pit of the auditorium. A child immersed in noise among 42,000 spectators, whose images provoke a reaction after publication on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

Parents are accused of being “irresponsible” by Internet users, even if those around them come to their aid and defend them. “The baby had children's noise-cancelling headphones. We left a nice space around them, there was the whole family, everyone was friendly and the parents were very attentive, the baby didn't cry once.” says an Internet user who explains having attended the show near the incriminated parents.

Can you take a young child to a concert?

If there is no age limit for bringing a child to a concert – the management of Paris La Défense Arena confirms this to our colleagues at the Huffington Post, explaining that it has also “proposed an alternative seating solution ” to these parents “who refused it” – is it wise to involve them in this type of event?

For Dr. Amine Haricane pediatric ENT, it is not a question of age limit but rather of sound volume. “There are special concerts organized for children from birth onwards so there is no age limit for taking a child to a concert but rather a question of volume limit.”

Are noise-canceling headphones effective?

Indeed, continues the expert, “We are born with hearing capital, as with vision, and once it is damaged, there is no recovery possible.”. When does hearing start to deteriorate? “Hearing impairment is detectable from 70 dB for more than 30 minutes: we must therefore not expose children to this type of avoidable noise trauma which can bother them in the very long term.” recommends the doctor.

Here, with 42,000 people and a baby in a pit, it is not certain that the volume limit is respected, although the child seems to have been “protected” by noise-cancelling headphones. But is it enough? “No,” the doctor reminds. “Noise canceling headphones like earplugs do not provide sufficient protection if you are close to the speakers or the stage in particular. It’s always good to have hearing protection but it’s never enough if you’re in the pit.”

Are these measures valid for adults too?

The recommendations recommended by the doctor remain valid for adults as well. Regarding ear protection, “there are filter caps that shield harmful frequencies while maintaining the ability to hear and speak” further indicates the specialist. “IThey were created for musicians and professionals working in noisy environments..

The doctor advises all adults to obtain it before going to a concert. But remember that “the most important thing is to “listen” to your body and if you hear tinnitus or that the noise becomes annoying because it is too loud, it means that we have been too exposed” he concludes.