For the past nine years, the Sight & Hearing Association (SHA) has tested toys, taken right off retailer's shelves, for potentially dangerous sound levels. Twelve of the 15 toys tested this year measured louder than 100 dB at the speaker of the toy. And 11 of the 15 are meant for children three years or younger.

The top offender on this year's list, SRM Entertainment's Power Gear Neo Fazer, blared at 116 dB - loud enough to risk hearing damage in less than 30 seconds. Three books meant for 18-month-olds - "The Wiggles Wiggly Jukebox," "The Wiggles Wiggly Songs" and "Help Along Sing a Song" - measured at 114 dB, 113 dB and 112 dB, respectively. All of those books are loud enough to risk hearing damage in less than one minute.

Sounds that are 85 dB or louder can permanently damage your ears. The louder the sound, the less time it takes to cause damage. For example, a sound at 85 dB may take as long as eight hours to cause permanent damage, while a sound at 100 dB can start damaging hair cells after only 30 minutes of listening. According to guidelines by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a federal agency part of the Centers for Disease Control, the permissible exposure time (the amount of time you should listen) is cut in half with every 3 decibels over 85 dB.

Decibels  Permissible exposure time
140 dB  Immediate danger
118 dB  ~ 15 sec.
115 dB  ~ 30 sec.
112 dB  ~ 1 min.
109 dB  < 2 min.
106 dB  < 4 min.
103 dB  7.5 min.
100 dB  15 min.
97 dB  30 min.
94 dB  1 hour
91 dB  2 hours
88 dB  4 hours
85 dB  8 hours
60-70 dB  Normal conversation
30 dB  Whisper

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 soundproof acoustic chamber was used to ensure accurate measurements.

Until 2004, there were no regulations in the United States regarding the loudness of toys. An acoustics standard (ASTM F963), adopted and revised in March 2004 by the ASTM International, 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. However, manufacturers are not required to comply with the standard.

Directly at the speaker of the toy, all of the toys tested this year measured louder than 90 dB. At 10 inches from the toy's surface, four of the toys measured louder than 90 dB: the Rock Star Classic Electronic Guitar (97 dB), The Home Depot Light & Sound Wrench (94 dB), the Power Gear Neo Fazer (91 dB), and the Power Gear Max Sound Fazer (90 dB).

While none of the toys tested pose an immediate danger to hearing, all of the toys could pose a hearing hazard if played for a period of time.

During the busiest toy-buying season of the year, the Sight & Hearing Association encourages consumers to listen to the toys they are buying for their children or grandchildren.

"Noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative," explains Julee Sylvester, SHA spokesperson. "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 at 800-638-2772.
• Put masking or packing tape over the speaker on the toy. This will help reduce the volume.

View Noisy Toy List

If you know of a toy that you would like the Sight & Hearing Association to test for next year's study, please e-mail mail@sightandhearing.org.