Arizona commission reveals 15 loudest toys that can damage kids’ hearing
Dec 10, 2019, 4:35 AM
(Pexels Photo)
(Pexels Photo)
PHOENIX — Some toys have noise levels that aren’t just annoying for parents, but unsafe for kids.
The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) tested some of the hottest toys on the market to help parents know which loud toys to watch for as they’re shopping this holiday season.
Several favorites made the list, including the Disney Frozen II Sing-Along Boombox for children 3 years of age and older. Its volume registers at about 109 decibels.
“Anything over 85 decibels can damage the hearing,” said Michele Michaels, the commission’s hearing healthcare program manager.
Sounds louder than 100 decibels can damage hearing in less than 15 minutes, according to the ACDHH.
Michaels said nearly 15% of children ages 6-19 have some degree of hearing loss in Arizona. She said it’s largely due to their exposure to loud noise.
She said often children don’t place toys at arm’s length as is recommended.
“A lot of times they will put them up next to their ear,” she said. “They like to hear the sound over and over. That repeated exposure to loud noise creates a hearing loss.”
ACDHH came up with its list of top 15 noisy toys by measuring the decibels a toy’s speaker reaches when it’s placed next a child’s ear.
Top 15 Noisiest Toys listed in dB order:
1. Basic Fun Galaga Mini Arcade, age 8+, 114.7 dB
2. Disney Frozen II Microphone, age 3+, 114 dB
3. Maxx Action Long Haul Vehicle Transport, age 3+, 111.9 dB
4. Disney Frozen II Sing-Along Boombox, age 3+, 108.8 dB
5. B. Toys Woofer Hound Dog Guitar, age 2+, 106.2 dB
6. Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table, age 6 months+, 105.3 dB
7. PAW Patrol Ultimate Fire Truck, age 3+, 104.6 dB
8. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Light-Up Learning Vacuum, age 12 months +, 104 dB
9. Disney Lion King Sing-Along Boombox, age 3+, 103.5 dB
10. B. Toys Meowsic Keyboard, age 2+, 103.4 dB
11. Vtech Touch & Teach Elephant, age 12 months+, 102.7 dB
12. Little Tikes Gas ‘n Go Mower, age 18 months +, 102.2 dB
13. Jurassic World Velociraptor Chomp ‘n Roar Mask, age 6+, 101.1 dB
14. Leap Frog Magic Adventures Globe, age 5+, 100.1 dB
15. Vtech Sort & Discover Drum, age 6 months+, 98.8 dB
Michaels has several tips for parents on how their children can safely play with loud toys they may already have.
She said parents can take the batteries out or put tape over the toy’s speaker. She also recommended limiting the toy’s usage or checking to see if the toy’s volume can be lowered.
Michaels added parents can also download an app that measures a toy’s noise level.
