Loud, louder, hearing damage: How parents can choose the right toys

The toy your child wants can't do anything except make loud noises? Then you probably shouldn't buy it. – Photo: Gerhard G., via Pixabay

The toy your child wants can't do anything except make loud noises? Then you probably shouldn't buy it. A child's ears are sensitive to noise, and in the worst case scenario the wrong toy can result in permanent damage.

A seemingly harmless toy like a squeaky rubber duck or a whistle can reach up to 130 decibels in the immediate vicinity of the ear. That's how loud a jet plane or a rock concert gets.