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Some toys could damage your child's hearing

December 15, 2015

UCI Health otolaryngologist Dr. Hamid Djalilian and his team tested more than two dozen popular toys to determine which had the highest maximum sound levels.

"These toys are not inherently dangerous simply because they can be loud," Djalilian said. "However, many can damage a child's hearing if not used properly."

Djalilian suggests a couple of things parents can do keep down the volume on toys:

  • Put occlusive tape or super glue over the speaker to mute the sound
  • Put tape over the volume control, preventing your child from increasing the volume to unsafe levels

See the UCI Health Live Well blog for more tips to protect your child's hearing

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Noise-induced hearing loss can result from a single exposure to a very loud sound (120 dB or more), or by listening to loud noises at or above 85 dB for an extended period of time.


Toys for children under three years old

Maximum
Decibels
My Own Laptop Leap Frog
110
Kid Connection Talking Activity Book
107
Little People Giraffe Fisher Price
106
Little Tikes Gas 'N Go Mower
106
Fisher Price Puppy's Smart Stages Train
100
My Sweet Love Baby Kisses
98
Vtech Tiny Touch Tablet
94

Toys for children over three years old

Maximum
Decibels
Disney Junior Rockin Doc Sing- Along Boombox
105 
Kid Connection Space Escape Dual Blaster
103 
Vtech Lil Speller Phonic Station
103 
Mighty Megasour Dragon Adventure Wheels
101 
The Ugglys Pet Shop Dirty Dog Wash Van
100 
Go Go Smart Animals Hippo Vtech
95 
Kid Connection Space Adventure Set
95 
Star Wars Blade Builders
93 
Kid Connection Fast Trucks
93 
Vtech Go Go Smart Wheels
92 
Nickelodean Paw Control
90 

Toys with no age indicated 
Maximum
Decibels

Maxwell In Earbuds Mic And Remote
103 
JVC Marshmallow Remote And Microphone
100 
Koss Full Size Earphone With Microphone
96 
Star Wars Darth Vader On Ear Ear Headphones
96
Koss On Ear Headphone
86