- Toys that emit sounds greater than 85 decibels (dB) can cause serious hearing damage.

Hearing loss from noise is cumulative and causes long-term damage in children. / Freepik

Avoiding noisy toys can prevent up to 60% of hearing loss in children

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 34 million children worldwide suffer from hearing problems. What is also noteworthy is that 60% of this hearing loss in childhood could be avoided or reduced by dispensing the use of toys with a higher sound intensity than should be, since the smallest is one of the most vulnerable groups. for the effects of noise.

Specialists warn that this hearing loss does not occur immediately, but that it is a cumulative process that manifests itself over the years and generates long-term damage. "The result of noisy toys especially affects young people who, in their childhood, have played with objects that had decibel levels higher than recommended and it has taken its toll over the years," says Dr. Juan Royo. , Head of the Otorhinolaryngology Section at the Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital in Zaragoza.

For her part, María Ruiz, head of training at AG Bell International, an association that works to improve the quality of life of people with deafness and hearing loss, recalls that "in terms of child hearing health, the responsibility lies with the parents." and insists that many toys can irreversibly damage children's hearing if the volume emitted exceeds 80 decibels (dB).

The AG Bell International expert advises that “it is best for a child's hearing health if the toy has volume controls or on/off switches” and adds that there is a very simple way to tell if the toy is dangerous: “ when the sound is too loud for the adult, it will also be loud for the child”

How to prevent hearing damage from toys

GAES hearing health specialists offer some advice to avoid future injuries in children:

- Become aware as parents of the danger of any toy that exceeds the decibels recommended by the European Union Conformity standards.

- Teach the little ones to make correct use of toys, "keeping a safe distance between the noisy object and the ear".

- It is recommended that the exposure time be less than eight hours in the case of toys with a maximum of 80 decibels. “If you have a higher intensity of noise, you should not use it or it is advisable to use a protector over the speakers to reduce the sound” adds Dr. Juan Royo.

- It is preferable to play in large spaces instead of small and closed places.

- Before buying any object and in view of these Christmas dates when the sale of toys increases, you must review the products and read the instructions to ensure that the noises they emit are less than 80 decibels and comply with EU regulations. The American Sight and Hearing Association lists the loudest toys on the market each year.

- Measure the decibel level emitted by a toy. In stores, they often offer devices called sound level meters that calculate the noise intensity of the product. To calculate it at home, there are different mobile applications and computer programs, very easy to use. One of them is the Listen Responsibly app launched by GAES so that users can measure the noise levels in their environment.

- When it is not possible to limit or control the volume, to reduce the sound level a piece of adhesive tape can be placed over the speaker.