Some toys are a hazard to kids' ears

Innocent-looking toys can be a potential hazard to children's ears, according to a news release from the Sears Hearing Aid Center of Springfield.

Huh?

Yeah, you heard me right, a "potential hazard."

From a person who has a constant case of annoying tinnitus (ringing in the ears — probably due to too many concerts back in the day) that I wouldn't wish on anyone, let alone my children, this news made me listen up.

Listen not just to the alarming message, but listen to my children's toys — lots of which buzz, whir, screech, boing, zip, sing and boom.

Fortunately, many of them have a high/low volume switch, though I prefer "off."

"Toys that make noise aren't as safe as you think," Scott Beall, owner of Sears Hearing Aid Center of Springfield, said in the release.

Apparently there are U.S. regulations governing the sound level of toys, but toy manufacturers aren't required to comply with them.

Why do we make these regulations then? Don't the toy makers have our children's health and best interest in mind?

No need to answer that; the proof is in the test results.

The Sight and Hearing Association tested 18 toys off retailer shelves for dangerous decibel levels.

The No. 1 noisemaker — Shake-N-Go Mater by Fisher Price came in at 86.9 dB from 10 inches away, 120.8 dB from 0 inches.

"For comparative purposes, the sound of a jet plane taking off is approximately 120 dB," Beall said.

"The louder the sound, the less time it takes to cause damage."

Wow. I wonder if covering my boys ears with our hands at the air show was sufficient?

Because of a child's shorter arm span, toys are often potentially more dangerous to hearing because children hold them closer to their ears, Beall explained.

"It is our recommendation that in any situation, whenever possible, a parent should try to make sure their child does not hold a toy up to their ears," Beall said.

The Sight and Hearing Association also advises covering toy speakers with clear packing tape to help muffle the sound level.

And we thought we were done with the tape after Christmas. But it's a simple solution to something that could have negative long-term effects.

After all, once they become teens we don't want to give them the added excuse of "I didn't hear you."

source :www.daytondailynews.com