Imagine giving a child a book that could be harmful to their hearing. The loudest toy the Sight & Hearing Association tested in this year's noisy toys campaign was just that: a singing Barney book.

In fact, nine of 11 toys tested by the Sight & Hearing Association for noise levels this holiday shopping season sounded out at more than 100 dB - similar to the blare of a chainsaw. Moreover, all of the toys tested are meant for children under 5.

For the sixth year, the nonprofit organization and researchers from the University of Minnesota tested a variety of toys - taken right off the shelves of local toy stores - for potentially dangerous noise levels. This year's top two offenders, Barney Songs - a book - and The Home Depot Workman's Screwdriver, blared at 115 and 112 decibels (dB), respectively. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, that level leads to a risk of hearing damage in less than 15 minutes.

"You wouldn't give your child a toy with small parts that could make him choke," said Julee Sylvester, public relations director for Sight & Hearing Association. "So why would you give your child a toy that could hurt his ears?"

Six of the 11 toys this year were musical toys, from the See 'N Say Barnyard Banjo to The Wiggles Musical Guitar.

"I was so surprised by these results," said Seth Janus, M.D., an otolaryngologist and resident at the University of Minnesota's department of otolaryngology who tested the toys. "All of these toys are meant for such young kids, and they are incredibly loud. It is well known that loud noise exposure is harmful and results in hearing loss. It is even more worrisome when young children are exposed to loud noise because the damage is cumulative and irreversible."

Because of a child's shorter arm span, toys are often potentially more dangerous because children hold them closer to their ears. In the Sight & Hearing Association study, the toys were tested at distances simulating how a child might hold the toy, directly near the ear (0 inches) and at arm's length (12 inches). A soundproof booth was used to ensure an accurate recording.

Directly at the speaker, the quietest toy tested measured at 98 dB. That's louder than some motorcycles.

Currently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission does not have regulations that address the loudness of toys. Another regulatory agency, the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), has recognized that noise is a problem and has proposed new standards that address the sound levels of toys. However, those standards, which have not yet been adopted, propose a hand-held, table-top or crib toy not exceed 90 dB at 25 cm. Moreover, compliance with the standard is voluntary.

Finding these noisy toys is quite easy, Sylvester says. She estimates 85% of toys make some kind of noise. All you need to do to find them is walk down a few toy aisles and press a few buttons.

"When I went shopping for the toys, I brought a sound level meter with me to do the initial test in the store," Sylvester explained. However, because most people do not have access to such an instrument, she offers the following tips:

• Listen to a toy before you buy it. Hold it close to your face. 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 or the Sight & Hearing Association at 651/645-2546.
• If you already have loud toys, or get one, put clear packing tape over the speaker on the toy. This will create a sound barrier and will reduce the volume.

According to the United States Eye Injury Registry, nearly 6,000 motorists each year suffer serious eye injuries or even blindness from working around batteries. In an effort to prevent such injuries this winter, the Sight & Hearing Association is reminding motorists to follow proper jump-starting procedures.

To help make this important task easier, free jump-start safety stickers are available from the Sight & Hearing Association. These fluorescent self-stick guides - perfect for placement underneath the hood of a vehicle - provide do's and don'ts for a proper jump-start as well as a diagram showing the proper placement of jumper cables.

Free jump-start safety stickers are available by sending a self-addressed, stamped business-sized envelope to Sight & Hearing Association, c/o Jump-Start Safety, 674 Transfer Rd., St. Paul, MN 55114.

Whether dead or not, the batteries can release an explosive hydrogen gas; all it takes is a small spark to ignite the gas and cause an explosion. Compounding this dangerous situation are individuals leaning over the engine of their vehicle to connect jumper cables.

"Most injuries," said Dr. Charles Barer, an ophthalmologist with Eye Physicians & Surgeons and member of SHA's board of directors, "are burns to the cornea of the eye caused by battery acid or cuts to the eye caused by flying battery fragments."

If a battery should explode and acid gets in the eyes, quickly dilute the acid by irrigating the eyes with water and then go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room for professional treatment, he said.

This fall, Minnesota Vikings fans who wanted to cheer on their team and protect their hearing were treated to free earplugs courtesy of the Sight & Hearing Association and 3M. The Sight & Hearing Association donated 6,000 foam earplugs, which were distributed at the Vikings Ambassador table to concerned fans.

According to Matt Helmeid of the Minnesota Vikings sales and marketing department, the response from fans was tremendous. "We had such an overwhelming response at the first game we offered them," he said. "The demand was so high that we went through almost 2,000 in one afternoon."

The following review was sent in by Shirley Fors, M.A., an audiologist with Oakdale ENT in Plymouth, Minn.

Location: Green Mill, Plymouth
Type of food: American variety
Time of day: 6-7:30 p.m. on a Thursday

Atmosphere: Family-friendly, moderate prices. Good service.

Equipment used: Radio Shack Sound Level Meter, A-weighted

Average noise level: 68 dB
Peak noise level: 80 dB

Overall impressions: The restaurant was 2/3 full. Noise level was quite pleasant; very easy to hold a conversation.

Rating on a scale of one to five bells (with one being quiet and five being noisy): 2 bells

RESTAURANT NOISE RATING SCALE
* Pleasantly quiet (Under 65 dB)
** Can talk easily (65-70 dB)
*** Talking somewhat difficult (70-75 dB)
**** Talking only with raised voice (75-80 dB)
***** Too noisy for normal conversation (80 dB and above)