Contact: Lauren Strait LAVIDGE 480-998-2600 [email protected] 2018 Top 20 List of Noisy Toys Announced Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing Releases New List to Prevent Hearing Damage PHOENIX (Nov. 20, 2018) – The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) has released its 2018 list of the top-20 noisiest toys. Noisy toys are categorized as any toy that reaches a sound level of 85 dB or higher consistently. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 85 dB is the maximum volume a child should be exposed to for no more than eight hours. Sounds louder than 100 dB can damage hearing in less than 15 minutes. Noise is the number one cause of hearing loss. Nearly 15 percent of school-age children (ages 6-19) have some degree of hearing loss. “All parents want to do what is right for their child,” said Michele Michaels hearing healthcare program manager of ACDHH. “However, they may not realize the danger that a toy’s noise level can pose to their child’s hearing. We want to make parents aware of the toys they buy for their children and how they can impact their hearing.” ACDHH researched some of the season’s most popular toys and found many that are too noisy and considered dangerous. Each decibel test was taken as if the child placed their ear next to the speaker. If your shopping list includes toys for the children in your life, you may want to look at the following list before purchasing. Topping the noisy toys list: 1. Black and Decker Junior Leaf Blower, 113.8 dB, ages 3+ 2. Marvel Avengers Infinity War Infinity Gauntlet Electronic Fist, 108.5 dB, ages 5+ 3. My Little Pony Singing Rainbow Dash, 108.4 dB, ages 3+ 4. VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Minnie Convertible, 107 dB, ages 1-5 5. Star Wars: The Last Jedi Bladebuilders Electronic Riot Baton, 106.3 dB, ages 4+ 6. B.toys Woofer Hound Dog Guitar, 106.2 dB, ages 2+ 7. Marvel Avengers Infinity War Mission Tech Iron Man, 106.1 dB, ages 4+ 8. Fisher-Price Sing & Learn Music Player, 105.6 dB, ages 6 months-3 years 9. Fisher-Price Bright Beats Spin & Crawl Tumble Ball, 104 dB, ages 9 months+ 10. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy's Busy Activity Home 103.7 dB, ages 6 -36 months 11. B. toys Meowsic Keyboard, 103.4 dB, ages 2+ 12. B. toys YouTurns Steering Wheel, 103.3 dB, ages 1-5 13. Fisher-Price Rock 'n Sort Snail Pail, 103 dB, ages 6 months+ 14. Marvel Black Panther Slash & Strike Erik Killmonger Figure, 101.6 dB, ages 4+ 15. Fisher-Price Shimmer & Shine Tummy Rubs Nazboo, 100.7 dB, ages 3+ 16. VTech Pull and Discover Activity Elephant, 100.3 dB, ages 1-3 17. VTech Drill & Learn Toolbox, 99 dB, ages 2-5 18. Spider-Man Homecoming Super Sense Spider-Man, 99 dB, ages 5+ 19. VTech Sort & Discover Drum, 98.8 dB, ages 6 months-36 months 20. Playskool Friends Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo, 90 dB, ages 18 months-4 years Safe toys list: 1. Driven Micro Fire Truck, small, 85 dB, ages 4+ 2. Transformers Bumblebee Greatest Hits FX, 85 dB, ages 5+ 3. VTech Care for Me Learning Carrier, 85 dB, ages 9 -36 months 4. Nella the Princess Knight Transforming, 85 dB, ages 3+ 5. Duck Tales 7" plush Huey, 85 dB, newborn+ 6. Disney's Doc McStuffins Baby Take Care of Me Nursery Pal, 85 dB, age 3+ 7. Peppa Pig Princess n' Oink plush, 82 dB, ages 18 months+ 8. Fisher-Price Smart Stages plush, 82 dB, ages 6 -36 months 9. Hasbro furReal Snifflin' Sawyer, 79 dB, ages 4+ 10. Leap Frog My Pal Scout plush 75 dB, ages 6 -36 months “Super Safe” Toys: 1. VTech Drop & Go Dump Truck 66 dB ages 6 -36 months 2. Fisher-Price Sweet Sounds Bunny 62 dB ages newborn+ “It is important to consider how the child will use the toy,” said Michaels. “Children aren’t always using these toys at arm’s length as they may be intended. It’s also important to consider the decibel levels of other sounds around the child in addition to the toy, such as the television, kids yelling or other toys. These factors can quickly add up and cause hearing loss.” ACDHH recommends parents refrain from purchasing these noisy toys and instead consider a toy on the “safe” or “super safe” list. If the toy has volume control, ensure it’s always set to the lowest level. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive and free smartphone apps are available to test the sound levels of any toy you may be considering buying or have already purchased. About ACDHH: Established in 1977 to improve the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing residents, ACDHH serves as a statewide information referral center for issues related to people with hearing loss and aspires to be a national leader in communication access, support services and community empowerment throughout the state. The purpose of the organization, and its commissioners, is to ensure, in partnership with the public and private sector, accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing to improve their quality of life. ### .