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SIGHT & HEARING ASSOCIATION RELEASES ANNUAL NOISY TOYS LIST©
Hearing loss does not typically occur from one single event–it is a cumulative process that happens over time. For this reason, it is important to make sure that your child’s hearing is protected, which includes making sure that their toys are not too loud for them. Parents can do a few things to make it a little quieter this holiday season. SHA recommends testing the toy before you buy it. Webb suggests you, “Push buttons and rattle toys as you walk through the toy aisle and if a toy is too loud for you, it will be too loud for your child. Look for toys that have volume controls and if you must buy a noisy toy, or your child receives a noisy toy as a gift, place clear packing tape over the speaker, it will reduce the sound level enough to make the toy ear-safe.” The University of Minnesota/Department of Otolaryngology and SHA confirmed in a study that covering noise-producing toys with tape or glue will significantly reduce the noise level of a toy, making it safer for children. What can you do to make sure you protect your child’s hearing this holiday season? Here are a few recommendations from SHA: Download a smartphone app that can measure sound levels and use it to test the sound level of toys you might buy in the store. Don’t have a smartphone? A good rule to remember is that if the toy sounds too loud for you, then it is too loud for your child. If you child has a loud toy at home or if they are given one as a gift, place clear packing tape over the speaker. This will help reduce the noise level so that it is safe. Look for toys that have volume controls so that you are able to set the volume to a safe level. If you would like to report a toy as being too loud, you can contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772 or email your report to SHA at kwebb@sightandhearing.org.