Abstract
Objective: 1) Assess the decibel (dB) level of toys from the Sight & Hearing Association 2010 Noisy Toys List. 2) Evaluate the change in dB level of these toys after covering the speakers with tape or glue.
Method: Sight & Hearing Association 2010 Noisy Toys List (n = 18) toys were tested at a distance of 0 cm and 25 cm from the sound source in a soundproof booth using a digital sound-level meter. Toys with speakers (n = 16) were tested before and after covering the speakers with packing tape or non-toxic glue.
Results: Mean dB level for nontaped toys at 0 cm and 25 cm was 107.6 dB (SD 8.5) and 82.5 dB (SD 8.8), respectively. With tape, there was a statistically significant decrease in loudness at 0 cm and 25 cm: 84.2 dB and 68.2 dB Mean dB level for non-taped toys at 0 cm and 25 cm was 107.6 dB (SD 8.5) and 82.5 dB (SD 8.8), respectively. With tape, there was a statistically significant decrease in loudness at 0 cm and 25 cm: 84.2 dB and 68.2 dB (P <.001). With glue, there was a statistically significant decrease in loudness at 0cm and 25 cm (P < .001). The average duration of sound produced was 9.2 seconds.
Conclusion: Adding tape or glue to cover the speakers of noisy toys can significantly limit the dB level of these toys. These are simple measures that parents can perform to limit hazardous noise exposure from noisy toys.
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