Protect Your Child’s Hearing This Christmas

We all know that loud noises can irreparably damage hearing and cause hearing loss. When we think of the potential sounds that can cause damage, we typically think of guns, drills, excessively loud music etc. But, what about something hiding under your Christmas tree?

Many children’s toys can produce volumes that significantly exceed the safe limit of 85db, as set by the HSE.

The length of time exposed to loud noise can affect the amount of inner-ear damage caused. Shockingly some of the new toys launched ready for Christmas are producing volumes that could reach 104dB (the same decibel level as a chainsaw), and cause damage in less than 15 minutes.

To better help you chose which toys to get your children this Christmas, we have provided a list of the toys and the amount of time that it is safe to play with it and the volume.

For more information, read the Sight and Hearing article here

Below is a list of the toys reviewed, and their decibel ratings:

WWE 3-Count Crushers: Roman Reigns™

Age Group - 6y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held & Tabletop
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 104.4
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 93.6

Road Rippers® Rush & Rescue®

Manufacturer - Toy State
Age Group - 3y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held & Floor
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 103.9
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 90.8

My First Tonka Wobble Wheels

Manufacturer - Tonka®
Age Group - 1y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held & Floor
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 103.2
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 89.8

Playskool Heroes: Jurassic World Dilophosaurus

Manufacturer - Hasbro
Age Group - 3 – 7y
Type of Toy - Hand-held & Tabletop
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 97.5
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 79.0

Disney Frozen: Magical MP3 Microphone

Manufacturer - KIDdesigns, Inc.
Age Group - 3y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 96.9
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 73.6

Bright Starts: Jingle and Glow Safari Gift Set™

Manufacturer - Kids II®, Inc.
Age Group - 0m
Type of Toy - Hand-held & Floor
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 96.1
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 82.4

Star Wars™ Anakin Skywalker™Darth Vader™ Color Change Lightsaber™

Manufacturer - Hasbro
Age Group - 3y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 95.0
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 76.2

The Peanuts Movie: Happy Dance Snoopy

Manufacturer - Just Play
Age Group - 2y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 94.5
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 83.2

Pull and Learn Alligator™

Manufacturer - VTech®
Age Group - 1.5y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held & Tabletop
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 93.8
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 84.6

Baby Einstein™: Rock, Light & Roll™

Manufacturer - Kids II®, Inc.
Age Group - 3m+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 93.8
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 83.9

Go! Go! Smart Wheels™: Ambulance

Manufacturer - VTech®
Age Group - 1 – 5y
Type of Toy - Tabletop & Floor
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 93.4
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 83.3

Yo-kai Watch™ Hip Hop Hero Komajiro

Manufacturer - Hasbro
Age Group - 4y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 91.2
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 74.6

Laugh & Learn® Light Up Learning Speaker

Manufacturer - Fisher – Price®
Age Group - 6 – 36m
Type of Toy - Hand-held & Tabletop
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 90.1
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 74.4

Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Squeeze 'Ems Leonardo

Manufacturer - Playmates Toys Ltd.
Age Group - 4y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 89.6
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 74.6

Nickelodeon Paw Patrol: Rocky Lights & Sounds™

Manufacturer - Spin Master, Ltd.
Age Group - 3y+
Type of Toy - Floor
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 88.7
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 73.2

Batman™ Voice Changer Helmet

Manufacturer - Mattel, Inc.
Age Group - 4y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 88.6
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 74.6

Playskool Sesame Street: Talking ABC Elmo

Manufacturer - Hasbro
Age Group - 18m – 4y
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 85.6
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 76.2

Barbie Dreamtopia Rainbow Cove™: Light Show Princess

Manufacturer - Mattel, Inc.
Age Group - 3y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 83.5
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 72.6

FurReal Friends ®Bootsie™ the Cat

Manufacturer - Hasbro
Age Group - 3y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held & Tabletop
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 77.6
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 63.3

Disney Pixar Finding Dory: My Friend Dory

Manufacturer - Bandai
Age Group - 4y+
Type of Toy - Hand-held
dB(A) @ 0 Inches - 76.5
dB(A) @ 10 Inches - 63.1