Parents: Be mindful of loud toys, says Beacon ear, nose and throat specialist

Those new, noisy gifts for kids and teens could be more than annoying — the toys could also bring a risk for hearing loss.

“Noisy gifts are a problem for both children and parents,” said Dr. Erin Kevern, a Beacon Medical Group otolaryngologist. “Gifts are becoming louder each year in order to keep a child’s attention.”

Mayo Clinic, our clinical collaborator, reports that while hearing loss is usually connected with the older generation, noisy toys have started accounting for hearing loss in young children. Some toys produce noises as loud as 90 decibels, a level similar to a running lawnmower and when adults usually start using hearing protection.

Playing with loud toys for long periods of time can cause hearing loss in children.

“If you hear a 90-decibel sound for an hour, that will do more damage than limiting loud sounds to 15 minute increments,” Dr. Kevern said. “Setting limits is very helpful to reducing damage.”

Noisy toys and their entertainment factor will not be going away anytime soon. Therefore, parents need to take precautions. Dr. Kevern suggests testing toys before buying them. If it’s too loud for an adult, it’s too loud for a child. She also suggests being present while children play with noisy toys and setting time limits.

Other suggestions include setting boundaries on a toy’s volume and wearing earplugs when playing loud musical instruments such as drum sets and when using video games.

“Parents need to understand that once you damage your hearing, we don’t have a device at the moment to bring it back,” said Dr. Kevern. “While kids are young and developing, it is best to provide as much protection as possible.”