Hearing Loss: Children’s Toys

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of factors. It’s important to note that adults are not the only people who are at risk. About 15 percent of adolescents from the ages of six to 19 experience hearing loss in at least one ear. If a child’s hearing loss goes untreated, it can negatively impact their reading abilities, social skills and performance in school. Even mild hearing loss can lead to missing up to 50 percent of class lessons and discussions. Parents need to be aware of hearing loss in their children and how to properly treat it. 

Hearing Loss due to Environmental Factors

According to the CDC, 25 percent of hearing loss in children is caused by their environment. The toys that they play with can surpass the 60 dB threshold that is deemed as safe a noise level for babies and 75 dB for children. The peak threshold level of noise for children is 120 dB. Also, children are curious and have a tendency to hold things like speakers up to their ears. 

The holidays have passed, and your children or grandchildren now have a surplus of toys to play with. You can find out whether a toy surpasses the 75 dB threshold by using a decibel reading app. Some popular toys and their noise levels have been tested. 

Here’s a list of the Top 15 Noisiest Toys:

1. Basic Fun Galaga Mini Arcade, age 8+, 114.7 dB
2. Disney’s Frozen II Microphone, age 3+, 114 dB
3. Maxx Action Long Haul Vehicle Transport, age 3+, 111.9 dB
4. Disney’s Frozen II Sing-Along Boombox, age 3+, 108.8 dB
5. 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’s Lion King Sing-Along Boombox, age 3+, 103.5 dB
10. Toys Meowsic Keyboard, age 2+, 103.5 dB
11. Vtech Touch & Teach Elephant, age 12 months+, 102.2 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. LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe, age 5+, 100.1 dB
15. Vtech Sort & Discover Drum, age 6 months+, 98.8 dB  

If any of these toys were given to your children or grandchildren, consider returning and replacing them with a quieter toy.   

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss and need hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and free hearing aid trial.

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