The Sight & Hearing Association recently released their 2018 Annual Noisy Toys List, 16 out of the 24 toys that were tested by Sight & Hearing tested louder than 85 dB (decibels) which is the level set by the National Institute of Occupational Health & Safety (NIOSH) for mandatory hearing protection.
The top two infant toys, Bright Starts Safari Beats Musical Toy and Spin & Sing Alphabet Zoo by LeapFrog. These were tested at 102.1 dB and 102 dB, which can damage hearing in less than 15 minutes when placed at a child's ear. Click here to find out the complete listing of toys that were tested.
If your child or grandchild received a noisy toy this holiday season from a family or friend, there are a few things you can do to protect their ears, while allowing them to still enjoy the toys. Look for any noise option controls on the toy. Some of the more advanced toys will have the ability to raise or lower the volume. If the toy does not, feel free to simply place a piece of clear tape over the speaker to muffle the noise. This will allow your child to continue to play with their new toy, while keeping their hearing safe.
