CHRONIC
Toys that make noise attract children’s attention, are designed to encourage play, and are popular Christmas gifts. Consumer advocates from the Chamber of Labor (AK) Upper Austria tested 14 toys for their volume. Most failed.
Noisy toys are often dangerous riot mongers, so the conclusion of the AK consumer protection. The toys were tested under “children’s room conditions”, as they say. The toy was turned on at a distance of half a meter and the volume was checked with a decibel meter. Values over 80 decibels were measured for nine products. Only four toys might be turned down.
Noise close to the jackhammer
Among the loudest products were a musical toy, which hit 89 decibels, and a garbage truck, which hit 88 decibels. A jackhammer at a distance of one meter is only slightly louder at 100 decibels, according to the test report. The limit values are very different for children’s toys. Between 60 and 90 decibels are allowed, depending on how long the sound lasts and whether it is a floor toy or is used “close to the ear”. The maximum of 90 decibels may only be reached by toys that are usually hand-held and make a sound for less than 5 seconds.
Risk of hearing damage
The consumer advocates take a critical view of the measured volumes. Was perceived as disturbing by adults even at a greater distance, might permanently damage the hearing of children. Not only the intensity, but also the duration of the noise exposure is important. Because even if studies have so far assumed that noises below 80 decibels do not cause any permanent damage, there is no scientifically proven knowledge.
Don’t buy noisemakers
It is advisable to test toys on your own ears before buying them. It should also be borne in mind that even short-sounding toys are often used for hours. Particular caution is required with toy pistols, whistles or fireworks, which, due to their short noises, are not recorded at their actual volume, but might be just as dangerous. If it is already perceived as too loud or annoying in the shop, it should not be bought. The children should also be given breaks from noise so that the auditory cells can recover, according to consumer protection.
