Toys that could damage your child's hearing
November 20, 2014
UCI Health otolaryngologist Dr. Hamid Djalilian and his team tested more than two dozen popular toys to determine which had the highest sound levels in three scenarios: at the ear with no tape over the speaker, at the ear with tape over the speaker and at a child's arm's length (approximately 30 centimeters) with tape over the speaker.
Djalilian suggests a couple of things parents can do keep down the volume on toys:
- Put occlusive tape or super glue over the speaker to mute the sound
- Put tape over the volume control, preventing your child from increasing the volume to unsafe levels
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Noise-induced hearing loss can result from a single exposure to a very loud sound (120 dB or more), or by listening to loud noises at or above 85 dB for an extended period of time.
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Click N Learn Remote
|
101 |
95
|
66
|
Vetch Spin & Learn Color Flashlight
|
98
|
84
|
71
|
Vetch Go Go Smart Wheels
|
97
|
75
|
64
|
Bright Starts Click & Giggle Remote
|
96
|
84
|
62
|
Leap Frog Chat & Count Smart Phone
|
96
|
90
|
57
|
Thomas & Friend Light Up Talking Percy
|
93
|
85
|
67
|
Vetch Little Smartphone
|
91
|
81
|
58
|
Toys for children over three years old
|
dB
without tape |
dB
with tape |
dB at arm's length
with tape
|
Space Raider Glow Space Gun
|
115
|
93
|
74
|
Playskool Heroes Heat Wave The Rescue Robot
|
107
|
98
|
71
|
Power Rangers Mega Cannon
|
105 |
81
|
65
|
Road Ripper Mustang GT
|
103
|
91
|
64
|
Space Raider Armor Band
|
103
|
78
|
70
|
Rockin’ Doc Sing Along Boom Box
|
99
|
87
|
64
|
| Dora The Explorer Singing Star Guitar |
98 |
85
|
63
|
Dora & Friends Sing It Together Microphone
|
98
|
89
|
62
|
Despicable Me Fart Blaster
|
97 |
74
|
56
|
Woofer Just B. Just You. You Guitar
|
97
|
89
|
64
|
Frozen Cool Tunes Sing Along Boom Box
|
94
|
78
|
60
|
| Dora and Friends Play It Two Ways |
94 |
74 |
57 |
| Wing Warrior Batman |
93 |
84 |
61 |
| First Act Discovery Microphone & Amplifier |
92 |
86 |
64 |
Toys for children over six years old
|
dB
without tape
|
dB
with tape
|
dB at arm's length
with tape
|
Twister Dance Rave
|
107
|
101
|
73
|
Fisher Price Disney Princess Magical Music Maker
|
100.5
|
82
|
64
|
Simon Swipe
|
98
|
84
|
74
|
Hot Wheel RC Hyper Racer
|
98
|
87
|
76
|
Darth Vader Ultimate Fix Light Saber
|
96
|
72
|
64
|
| Bob It Tetris |
96 |
83 |
56 |
