Strollerderby : deafness

Interview with Marlee Matlin

editors — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:25:00 GMT

Today on Babble:

"Marlee Matlin"

by Tammy La Gorce

Oscar winning actress and mother of four Marlee Matlin has been far from typecast into the onscreen role of mom, but, she'd "love to do the story of Octomom!"

Read it here.

Kid's Kiss Deafens Mom In One Ear

Amy S.F. Lutz — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:38:00 GMT

My oldest daughter used to ask for these really, really, really BIG kisses, which involved the two of us running at each other from opposite sides of the room and colliding in the middle for a big lip-smack.

Cute, huh?

Well, a New York mom is still fighting to regain hearing in her left ear two years after her then four-year-old daughter planted her own version of a really, really, really BIG kiss.

Suction from Gail Schwartzman's daughter's kiss "displaced her eardrum and paralyzed three bones in her ear," according to Newsday. Although some of her hearing has returned, Schwartzman still suffers from tinnitus, that horribly annoying and everpresent sensation of ringing in your ears.

So, if your kid also likes really, really, really BIG kisses, try to direct them to a safe target, like your cheek.

What? Loud Toys Deafen Kids, Annoy Adults

Karen Murphy — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:56:00 GMT

I love it when science catches up with me.

I've been told I am "too sensitive." That applies to many things, but sound is definitely high on the list. Hey, some of us are sensitive to that sort of thing! Which is one reason why I avoid loud toys, not that avoiding electronic noisemakers deters my youngest from constantly generating decibels while for instance banging on an upended metal pail with a wooden spoon and singing along, but I have to agree with Mike, who said that air is the best toy of all.

Because loud electronic toys can cause permanent hearing loss in kids.

And while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) can't agree on what is considered "safe" exposure levels for things that emit 100 decibels or more (OSHA = 2 hours; NIOSH = 10 minutes, a rather disturbing variance), it's also a safe bet that kids won't use these sorts of toys "correctly"; that is, keeping them away from their ears and using them only for short periods of time.

As much as I'd love to snark on these toys, kids are able to make noise from practically anything: besides the aforementioned makeshift drum my youngest has created, he's also got a xylophone, a rainstick, and, well, himself. Plus my seven-year-old can emit the most ear-piercing high-pitched shriek known to man.

On my Christmas list: noise-canceling headphones. I just thought of it.

Want a list of some of the offending electronica and their decibel emissions? Might make you think twice in your shopping this month. Or just pick up the headphones for everyone.

High School Musical Rockerz Jammin Guitar: 106
Cheetah Girls – In Concert Collection Doll: 104

Hannah Montana – In Concert Collection Doll: 103

VTech V.Smile Baby: 103

CAT Motorized Dump Truck: 102

Tickle Me Elmo: 100

Transformers Trans-portable Activity Center: 99

Tonka Lights and Sounds Hummer: 97

Bob the Builder Deluxe Talking Tool Belt: 96

Bosch Toy Chainsaw: 95

Tickle Me Cookie Monster: 94

Little People Dump Truck: 92

Cabbage Patch Kids Babies: 91

Leap Frog Learning Lily: 90

Tickle Me Ernie: 90

Playskool Gloworm: 85

Little People School Bus: 80