The Hidden Dangers of Loud Toys: How They Can Cause Permanent Hearing Damage in Children

When we think of noise-induced hearing damage, we often imagine loud concerts, construction sites, or excessive headphone use. However, a lesser-known threat lurks in many homes: children’s toys. Toys that emit sounds exceeding safe noise levels are putting young children at risk of permanent hearing damage. From interactive books to musical instruments, many popular toys reach dangerously high decibel levels, yet parents may not even realize the risk.

The Alarming Reality of Loud Toys

According to the now-defunct Sight & Hearing Association, toys emitting sounds above 85 decibels (dB) can cause permanent hearing damage in children. To put that in perspective, prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB is comparable to the noise level of city traffic. Yet, toys like the *Disney Moana Squeeze and Scream HeiHei can emit sounds as loud as 109 dB when measured close up. For comparison, that’s about as loud as a chainsaw or a rock concert—both of which are widely recognized as hazardous to hearing.

Here are just a few toys from recent years that have raised concerns due to their high decibel output:

• Disney Moana Squeeze and Scream HeiHei: 109.7 dB (up close), 92.3 dB (from 10 inches away)

• DJ Mix & Spin Studio by Hape: 107.8 dB (up close), 92.9 dB (from 10 inches away)

• Outdoor Discovery Hoot n’ Holler Animal Caller: 104.5 dB (up close), 87.7 dB (from 10 inches away)

• Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Ultimate Learning Bot: 103.6 dB (up close), 87.1 dB (from 10 inches away)

All of these toys emit sound levels well above the recommended limit of 85 dB, posing a risk to children’s hearing, especially when held close to their ears. Many toys in this range exceed safe levels for long-term exposure, yet they continue to be sold on store shelves without sufficient warnings.

A History of Loud Toys

Loud toys are not a new phenomenon. In fact, sound-emitting toys have been around since Thomas Edison’s Talking Doll in 1887. Over the years, the trend continued with toys like the 1959 Chatty Cathy and the ever-popular Tickle Me Elmo. Despite the advancement in technology, toys have remained consistently loud. 

Kathy Webb, the executive director of the Sight & Hearing Association, noted that the organization started testing noisy toys in the late 1990s. They published annual lists of the loudest toys until 2021, warning parents about toys that exceeded safe noise levels. Yet, toy manufacturers have not significantly altered their designs to reduce sound output. Efforts by the Sight & Hearing Association to collaborate with toy companies on this issue were met with silence.

How Loud Toys Cause Hearing Damage

Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ear, which are responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain. Once these hair cells are damaged, they do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss. Children are particularly vulnerable because their ear canals are smaller and more sensitive, which means sounds can be amplified more than they would be for adults.

Dr. Bopanna Ballachanda, president of the American Academy of Audiology, warns that the commonly accepted threshold for hearing damage—85 dB—was based on a 1972 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) study of adults. He suggests that toys should ideally produce sound levels closer to 70-72 dB for safer play. Unfortunately, many toys on the market still far exceed this recommendation.

What Can Parents Do?

Parents are not helpless in this situation. There are steps you can take to protect your child from noise-induced hearing loss:

Test Noise Levels: Smartphones now come equipped with apps that allow you to measure the decibel levels of toys. Use these tools to ensure toys are within safe limits (ideally below 85 dB).

Increase Distance: If your child insists on playing with a loud toy, encourage them to hold it at arm's length, as noise decreases with distance. Toys like the Moana Squeeze and Scream HeiHei reach dangerous levels only when held close to the ear.

Limit Exposure Time: Prolonged exposure to even moderate noise levels can accumulate into lasting damage. Set limits on how long your child plays with particularly noisy toys.

Seek Safer Alternatives: When possible, choose toys that are quieter or have adjustable volume controls. Many educational toys and instruments are designed with lower noise outputs or volume settings.

The Role of Toy Manufacturers

While parents can take steps to mitigate the risks, the ultimate responsibility lies with toy manufacturers. Toy companies should prioritize lowering noise levels in their products, especially since research and complaints have been ongoing for decades. By keeping toy sounds below 85 dB or providing volume controls, manufacturers can help ensure safe play environments for children.

Moreover, regulatory bodies should consider imposing stricter noise limits for toys, similar to the standards for adult hearing protection in workplaces. Public awareness campaigns about the dangers of loud toys should also be revitalized to ensure parents are informed about this often-overlooked hazard.

Loud toys may seem like harmless fun, but they pose a real threat to children’s hearing. Toys that produce sounds above 85 dB can cause irreversible damage, and many currently available products far exceed this limit. It’s critical for parents to be vigilant, and for manufacturers to take responsibility for producing safer, quieter toys. By working together, we can protect children’s hearing and promote healthier play environments.