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

What?? Many Babies' Hearing Not Tested Properly

Karen Murphy — Fri, 11 May 2007 12:36:00 GMT

According to reports, a third of newborn babies who fail the routine hearing screening test at birth don't receive any sort of followup evaluation, leaving these kids susceptible to learning or language development delays. Yikes! So despite the fact that more American babies than ever before are actually receiving the newborn screening, there are still many who never receive the all-important followup with an audiologist.1-3 babies per thousand actually have some amount of hearing loss, so it's important to have the followup care so that early intervention can ensue with no delays in language acquisition skills. It's not enough to realize at 9 months or 12 months that your child isn't making sounds; by then they've lost valuable exposure to language that may be difficult to reagin easily.

I think I can understand what's going on here, though. In addition to the fact that there's presently a shortage of qualified audiologists, either parents don't realize how important these hearing tests are, or they're too busy or sleep-deprived to follow up. So clearly, more education is needed. Before these kids need hearing aids.

Strollerderby : hearing loss

What? Loud Toys Deafen Kids, Annoy Adults

What?? Many Babies' Hearing Not Tested Properly