beware of noisy toys

[Guest guest]

- ASHA Reminds Consumers to Beware of Noisy Toys

the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

~ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing

association for more than 103,000 audiologists, speech-language

pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.

Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing

disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including

hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and

treat speech and language problems including swallowing

disorders.

Editor: Thanks in part to education campaigns by a variety of

groups, people are getting smarter about protecting their

hearing from many threats. But did you ever think about

potential hearing damage from toys? ASHA has thought about it,

and here's what they have to say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As parents and family members begin shopping for toys to share

with their children this holiday season, the American

Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) reminds consumers

that the noise produced by some toys may be harmful to a child's

ears. ASHA urges parents and others who purchase toys to listen

to them before buying to make sure that the toys are not too

loud.

Studies have shown that some toys, such as those with sirens or

horns, can emit noises at a level of 90 decibels (dB) or higher,

exposing children's ears to levels of noise equivalent to those

produced by a lawnmower. Other toys that may pose a danger to a

child's hearing include squeaky rubber toys, cap guns, walkie

talkies, musical instruments and toys with cranks. The dangers

of noisy toys become even greater when the toys are held

directly to the ears, as children often do. This action can

expose the ear to as much as 120 dB of sound, equivalent to the

noise of a jet airplane taking off. Noise at this level is

painful and can result in permanent hearing loss for individuals

of any age.

ASHA urges parents and others buying toys to inspect them for

noise dangers just as they would for small pieces that can be

easily swallowed, and to not buy a toy if it sounds too loud.

If parents suspect that their child has been exposed to high

levels of sound for a prolonged period of time, an

ASHA-certified audiologist can help identify and assess any

damage that may have occurred due to noise. An ASHA-certified

audiologist can also provide information about the types of

hearing protection available as well as treatment for

noise-induced hearing loss. For free information on hearing loss

and hearing conservation or a referral to a certified

audiologist in their area, consumers may visit ASHA's web site

at www.asha.org or contact ASHA's Helpline at 1-

(TALK).

Randie Chubin

Margie (7) moderate/moderate to severe, EVAS

Eli (4) and Mollie (1), hearing

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Thanks for sending this. Noisy toys are a big pet peeve of mine. My

daughter got one Merry Go Round toy that is amazingly loud! I generally put

tape over the speaker openings and that subdues it a little at least.

Several times over the holidays I mentioned to people (hoping they would

think of my words the next time they were shopping for kids toys) that loud

toys can damage the kid's ears. Now I will forward this posting to them for

backup :-)

~Rhonda