Research Group Warns Consumers of Toys That Can Damage Childrens' Hearing
November 21, 2006 -- Hazardous toys are still sold in stores across the country, according to the 21st annual toy safety survey released today by the Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG). The survey looked into several health hazards toys may pose, including lead toxicity, choking risks, and excessive loudness which could damage childrens’ ears.
 |
The survey says that between one-quarter and one-third of Americans with hearing loss can attribute it, at least in part, to noise. Children are especially vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss, which often happens gradually and without pain, from overexposure to loud noises.2 Almost 15 percent of children ages 6 to 17 show signs of hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by a one-time exposure to loud sound as well as by repeated exposure to sounds at various loudness levels over an extended period of time. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that prolonged exposure to sounds at 85 decibels (dB) or higher can result in hearing damage. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Campaign for Hearing Health also use 85 decibels as a threshold for dangerous levels of noise. |
The symptoms of noise induced hearing loss increase gradually over a period of continuous exposure. Sounds may become distorted or muffled, and it may be difficult for the person to understand speech. Even minor hearing loss in children can affect their ability to speak and understand language at a critical time in their development. The following are the accepted standards for recommended permissible exposure time before hearing damage can occur. For every three decibels over 85 decibels, the permissible exposure time before possible damage is cut in half.
Decibel Exposure Time Before Hearing Damage Can Occur
| 85 dB | 8 hours |
| 88 dB | 4 hours |
| 91 dB | 2 hours |
| 94 dB | 1 hour |
| 97 dB | 30 minutes |
| 100 dB | 15 minutes |
| 103 dB | 7.5 minutes |
| 106 dB | < 4 minutes |
| 109 dB | < 2 minutes |
| 112 dB | 1 minute |
| 115 dB | 30 seconds |
A report commissioned by the European Union about noise from toys concluded that children are unlikely to play with toys for more than three hours per day on average; they also are unlikely to be exposed to noise from toys for more than 1.5 hours per day. The report also notes, however, that children “are exposed to many sources of noise, not just toys, during everyday life. Any consideration of permissible noise exposures from toys, and of corresponding noise emission limits for toys, needs to take these other noise sources into account.”
Standards for Loud Toys
In November 2003, American Society of Testing and Materians (ASTM) finalized new specifications for sound-producing toys that are “intended to minimize the possibility of hearing damage that might be caused by toys that are designed to produce sound.” These standards include the following:
- Hand-held, table-top, floor, and crib toys should not produce continuous sound that exceeds 90 dB when measured from 25 centimeters.
- Close-to-the-ear toys should not produce continuous sound that exceeds 70 dB when measured from 25 centimeters.
- Toys with impact-type impulsive sounds should not produce a peak sound in excess of 120 dB when measured from 25 centimeters.
- Toys with explosive-type sounds should not produce a peak sound in excess of 138 dB when measured from 25 centimeters.
These standards, while a solid step in the right direction, may not be sufficient to ensure that loud toys will not harm children’s hearing. Overall, the sound limits are too high, since exposure to sounds at 85-90 decibels over two hours and sounds at 120 decibels over just 30 seconds can cause hearing loss. Moreover, these standards are voluntary for toy manufacturers, not mandatory. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has the authority to enforce the ASTM voluntary standards and exercises that authority at its discretion. Finally, the standards are based on peak sound pressure levels measured from a distance of 25 centimeters. Children often play with toys at a much closer distance than 25 centimeters—even holding a toy up to their ears—and therefore could experience the noise at a more powerful level.
Toy Survey Findings: Loud Toys
We measured the loudness of several toys, taking the readings from 25 centimeters (9.84 inches), 10 centimeters (3.94 inches) and 1 centimeter (.39 inches) to determine the range of noise to which a child playing with a toy could be exposed. We found that several toys currently on toy store shelves may not meet the ASTM standards for appropriately loud toys. In fact, some exceed 100 decibels when measured at close range. These included some musical toys, and trucks and guns that make noise.
Recommendations
To protect children from loud toys, we offer the following advice for parents:
- If a toy seems too loud for you, then it is probably too loud for your child.
- Put tape over the speakers of any toys you already own that are too loud or remove the batteries.
- Report a loud toy to the CPSC.