With World Hearing Day (March 3) happening this month, it’s a great time to learn which noisy toys may contribute to hearing loss for kids and their caregivers.
Hearing damage from a toy can occur when it emits any sound that measures 90 dB or higher. Kids make the likelihood of damage much greater because they often hold toys closer to their ears due to their short arm span or hold them too close to their caregivers’ ears. A child who does this can make a 90 dB sound grow as loud as 120 dB, potentially causing permanent hearing loss.1
Which Toys Could Harm Hearing?
According to the Center for Hearing and Communication, the following toy types could result in hearing loss because they create sounds over 90 dB.
- Certain rattles and squeaky toys can emit 110 dB sounds.
- Musical toys, such as electric guitars, drums and horns, may produce sounds as loud as 120 dB.
- Toy phones for small children can clock in at between 123 and 129 dB.
- Toys designed to amplify the voice have been measured at 135 dB.
- Toys producing firearm sounds emit volumes as loud as 150 dB one foot away from the noise source.2
Take Steps to Protect Ears of All Sizes
Try before you buy—If the toy sounds too loud, it probably is. Don’t purchase it.
Muffle the sound—Placing duct tape over the speakers will help.
Bye-bye batteries—Remove batteries from toys that emit too much noise.
Get rid of the toy—Your loved ones’ ears will thank you.
If you believe you or a loved one has hearing loss, don’t wait to get help. Schedule a hearing evaluation today! Contact Hearing Focused at (262) 679-8888. We offer custom ear protection, thorough audiological testing, new hearing aids and counseling for total patient satisfaction.
1 Hearing Loss Association of America. (n.d.). Hearing Loss Facts and Statistics. https://www.hearingloss.org/wp-content/uploads/HLAA_HearingLoss_Facts_Statistics.pdf?pdf=FactStats
2 Hear Well. (n.d.). Myths and facts. https://www.hearing.org/myths-facts/