Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county public health officer in San Diego, is warning parents that toys with loud sounds could be a potential danger to their children’s hearing. For young children such as toddlers, even moderate toys can be too loud. In small children, the ear canal is much narrower. This makes sounds echo more loudly. Toddlers and infants also have shorter arms, bringing loud toys closer to the head.
“If a toy seems loud to you in the store, don’t buy it,” Wooten said.
When a child is around noise of 85 deciles or higher for a long period of time, it can cause hearing damage and loss. Too many children experience this type of noise frequently enough to cause damage in their ears. The federal EPA estimates that as many as 5 million children in the US have hearing damage and loss due to exposure to loud noises.
Parents can reduce the amount of noise that a toy puts out by applying tape over the speakers. This can slightly mute the sound to cause less damage to a child’s hearing. When that is not possible, parents should limit the amount of time their child is allowed to play with the toy when it is turned on. Removing the battery can prevent a young child from accidentally turning on the toy when parents are not around.
True Heroes Sonic Battle Blasters
The Sight and Hearing Association of St. Paul, Minn., has compiled a list of the loudest toys available now for parents to look out for. These are the worst offenders on the hearing of children.
- Bell Riderz Block Blaster, for ages 4-8, recorded at 129 decibels when held up close;
- Cars Shake ‘N Go Ramone, for ages 3-7, at 119 decibels;
- Transformers Optimus Prime Cyber Sword, for ages 4+, at 110 decibels, and
- True Heroes Sonic Battle Blasters, for ages 3+, at 110 decibels.
– Summer, staff writer
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