Every year, the Sight & Hearing Association and researchers from the University of Minnesota test a variety of toys - taken right off the shelves of local toy stores - for potentially dangerous noise levels. This year, seven of 14 toys tested by the Sight & Hearing Association for it's noisy toys list sounded off over 100 decibels (dB). Say what? That's louder than a chainsaw.

The top offender on this year's list, Kid Connection's Electronic Guitar, blared at 117 dB - loud enough to risk hearing damage in about 10 minutes. The Elite Operations Quantum Blast Set blasted at 114 dB. And, similar to last year's list, two books meant for 18-month-olds topped 100 dB. Exposure to noise levels above 85 dB for eight hours is the federal threshold for hearing protection. Levels above 90 dB can cause permanent hearing loss with relatively short exposure.

Because of a child's shorter arm span, toys are often potentially more dangerous to hearing because children hold them closer to their ears. In the Sight & Hearing Association study, the toys were repeatedly tested at distances simulating how a child might hold the toy, directly near the ear (0 inches) and at arm's length (10 inches). A sound-proof acoustic chamber was used to ensure accurate measurements.

Until last year, there were no regulations in the United States regarding the loudness of toys. A new acoustics standard (ASTM F963), adopted and revised in March 2004 by the American Society of Testing and Materials, states that a hand-held, table-top or crib toy cannot exceed 90 dB 25 cm (approx. 10 in.) from the surface of the toy. Compliance with the standard is voluntary.

"We are thrilled that the toy industry and consumer safety groups have finally realized that acoustics are an important part of overall toy safety," said Julee Sylvester, Sight & Hearing Association spokesperson. "While none of the toys we tested pose an immediate risk for hearing damage, some could definitely pose a risk in a matter of minutes. We want consumers to know what sound levels the toys are capable of producing so they can make their own decisions."

Unlike with choking hazards and other injuries, there are no injury statistics on toys and hearing loss. That's because noise-induced hearing loss is nearly impossible to track its origination.

"Noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative," explains Sylvester. "It doesn't typically happen from one event; it gradually happens over time. That's why it's important to start protecting hearing at a young age."

To protect your children, the Sight & Hearing Association offers the following tips:

• Listen to a toy before you buy it. If it sounds loud to you, it's too loud for your child.
• Report a loud toy. Call the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the Sight & Hearing Association.
• Put masking or packing tape over the speaker on the toy. This will help reduce the volume.

"In addition to toys we think consumers should stay away from, we want to highlight a few toys that have safe sound levels," said Sylvester. "Of course, there are also the toys that don't make any kind of sound, such as Barbies, Legos, and board games."

2005 Noisy Toys List
Toy	Manufacturer	Age Group	Type of Toy	dB (0 inches)	dB (12 inches)	Store
Kid Connection Electronic Guitar	Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.	3+	Musical	117	88	Wal-Mart
Elite Operations Quantum Blast Set	Geoffrey, Inc.	5+	Hand-held	114	87	Toys R Us
Barbie™ "Jam With Me" Electric Guitar	KIDdesigns, Inc.	4+	Musical	113.3	82	Wal-Mart
Play-a-Song® Dora the Explorer™ Adventure Songs	Publications International, Ltd.	18 months+	Hand-held/Musical	110	85	Toys R Us
Power Gear Pirate Adventure Set	SRM Entertainment Ltd.	5+	Hand-held	107	81	Target
Play-a-Song™ Disney Princess Magic Songs	Publications International, Ltd.	18 months+	Hand-held/Musical	105	75	Toys R Us
The Home Depot Light & Sound Grinder	Geoffrey, Inc.	3+	Hand-held	101	84	Toys R Us
Play-a-Song® Baby Einstein Animal Melodies	Publications International, Ltd.	18 months+	Hand-held/Musical	98	74	Toys R Us
Sesame Street 2-in-1 Giggle Guitar	Fisher-Price/Mattel	18 months+	Hand-held/Musical	98	68	Fleet Farm
Buenas Noches™ Dora doll	Fisher-Price/Mattel	2+	Hand-held	97.8	73	Wal-Mart
Kid Connection Alphabet Learning Center	Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.	2+	Table-top	97.8	74	Wal-Mart
Power Gear Assault Machine	SRM Entertainment Ltd.	5+	Hand-held	97	93	Fleet Farm
Electronic Robo Tendor	Hilco Corporation	18 months+	Hand-held	96	85	Toys R Us
Peek-A-Boom Farm	Wah Hing Toys Development Co.	1+	Table-top	92	84	Fleet Farm

2005 "Ear-Friendly" Toys
Toy	Manufacturer	Age Group	Type of Toy	dB (0 inches)	dB (12 inches)
Liberator Lights and Sound Military helicopter	Funrise Toy Corp.	3+	Hand-held	88	70
Fly & Learn Globe	Vtech Electronics	3+	Table-top	80	66