from Evergreen Speech & Hearing Clinic
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is in full swing! Malls are full of shoppers, presents are gathering up under the tree and children’s anticipation of playing with their new toys is growing! Every year we hear of the dangers that exist with toys…but did you know that some of the toys currently on the market have hearing loss dangers?
For 12 years non-profit Sight and Hearing Association along with researchers at the University of Minnesota conducts a study of the noise levels on the toys directly off the retailers’ shelves in their Noisy Toy Study. The study aims to inform consumers of the potentially dangerous sound levels they are exposing their children to.
What’s the top offender of 2009? The Iron Man Mobile Headquarters Vehicle by Jada Toys. The popular toy was measured at a blaring 119.5 dB — loud enough to risk hearing damage in less than eight seconds! Fisher Price’s Learning Letters Mailbox, meant for a 6-36 month old, topped out at 113.9 dB; and a book called Sesame Street Help Along Sing a Song measured 112.1 dB. All of those toys are loud enough to risk hearing damage in less than one minute.
For all the toys on the list, any of them listened to at a close level for a long duration of time could lead to Noise Induced Hearing Loss.
In order to protect your child from Noise Induced Hearing Loss, the association has the following tips:
* Listen to a toy before you buy it. If it sounds loud to you, it’s too loud for your child.
* Report a loud toy.
* Put masking or packing tape over the speaker on the toy. This will help reduce the volume.
* Buy toys with volume controls.
from www.parents.com
Here are toys sampled by researchers and their sound in decibels when measured approximately one inch from the speaker. Although you don't need to toss them, do make sure your child plays with them at arm's length.
High School Musical Rockerz Jammin Guitar: 106 decibels >>
Cheetah Girls In Concert Collection Doll: 104 decibels >>
Hannah Montana In Concert Collection Doll: 103 decibels >>
VTech V.Smile Baby: 103 decibels >>
CAT Motorized Dump Truck: 102 decibels >>
Tickle Me Elmo: 100 decibels >>
Transformers Trans-Portable Activity Center: 99 decibels >>
Bob the Builder Deluxe Talking Tool Belt: 96 decibels >>
Bosch Toy Chainsaw: 95 decibels >>
Tickle Me Cookie Monster: 94 decibels >>
Little People Dump Truck: 92 decibels >>
Cabbage Patch Kids Babies: 91 decibels >>
LeapFrog Learning Friend Lily: 90 decibels >>
Tickle Me Ernie: 90 decibels >>
and recently reported from Reuters...
"a Big Bang Rocket on sale at Amazon.com that the group World Against Toys Causing Harm says may cause hearing loss..."
If you have any questions regarding toys, noise level or how you can keep your child safe, please do not hesitate to contact the audiologist. Shop smart and merry christmas to all who are celebrating!
2 comments:
How about doing some test with the toys in Malaysia?
The pasar malam has lots of toys which one can hear from about 50 meters away.
could not agree with you more. maybe can suggest for undergrads as their thesis? ;)
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