Skip to main content
MCHS_Logo_2024_BLACK
  • Patient Portal
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services

      Featured Services

      • Cardiology (Heart)
      • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Digestive Care)
      • Neurosurgery
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)
      • Oncology (Cancer)
      • Orthopedics & Orthopedic Surgery (Bones)
      • Primary Care
      • Spine Care
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Urology

      View all services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Lake City
      • Lake Crystal
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Rochester
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    Posted By
    Katie Dease, Au.D.

    Katie Dease, Au.D.

    Audiology (Hearing)

    Recent Posts

    • Hunters in orange vests
      Speaking of Health
      Hunting? Be sure to protect your hearing
      April 08, 2025
    • Closeup of rollerblades on a person's feet
      Speaking of Health
      Don't miss a quiet symptom of concussion
      October 08, 2024
    • Person wearing earbuds
      Speaking of Health
      Young people wearing earbuds or headphones? Listen up
      May 03, 2024
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight-loss (Bariatric) Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Monday, December 12, 2022

    Protect children's hearing from noisy toys, gifts

    Topics in this Post
    • Ear Health
    Child wearing earphones using tablet

    Hearing loss often is thought of as something that happens to the elderly. But we live, work and play in a noisy environment, and hearing loss affects the lives of people of all ages.

    The Hearing Health Foundation reports that nearly 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from hearing loss in at least one ear, including 20% of teens. In younger children, hearing loss may be caused by playing with noisy toys.

    Are toys really that loud?

    Many toys that young children play with can produce levels equal to 90 decibels, which is as loud as or louder than a lawn mower. These levels typically require hearing protection. The volume can turn up as high as 120 decibels, which is as loud as an airplane taking off because kids often play with toys near their faces, ears and mouths.

    Do a sound test before buying

    Your child's ears are delicate, and every home with kids has its share of noisy toys.

    As a parent, it's a good idea to test toys in the store before buying. Test the volume of a toy closer to your face, not at arm's length. Play like a child — hold the toy up by your ear, or crouch to a child's height and play with it on the ground. If a toy sounds too loud to you, it's too loud for your child.

    Also research the Noisy Toys List from the Sight & Hearing Association.

    How to lower the sound level

    Toys

    Try placing clear tape over the speaker. Some tests have shown this lowers the sound level and may be safer for kids' ears. Every now and then, turn the sound off or down on audible playthings.

    Music and headphones

    For children and teens glued to their music player or smart device, parents should stand near their child when they have headphones on and the music is playing. If you can hear the music, it's too loud.

    Output-limiting headphones are an excellent gift option. In most cases, they automatically limit the output level to about 85 decibels, which is a safe volume for up to eight hours. These headphones may be available at many Mayo Clinic Health System sites and through local and online retailers. Many devices, such as cellphones and tablets, have noise output-limiting settings that can be activated.

    You also can invest in custom earbuds or noise-canceling headphones that help block background noise, allowing you to decrease the volume.

    Instruments

    Did someone receive an instrument for the holidays?

    These are fun, creative gifts, but consider these tips so hearing isn't sacrificed to make music:
    • For all musicians, but especially drummers, smart hearing health care is essential. Older musicians may benefit from musician earplugs that limit sound without compromising musical integrity.
    • Drummers should try practicing with drum pads as much as possible. This will eliminate loud noises while still offering a surface for rehearsing stick strokes.
    • Another approach is to limit practice to intervals. Try practicing, with ear protection, for 30 to 60 minutes, taking a break for the same amount of time to give your ears a rest, then going back to practice.

    Don't forget about hearing health care when you're shopping for gifts during the holidays — and throughout the year — or when your children receive toys. Make sure your gifts protect hearing and support healthy ears.

    Katie Dease, Au.D., is an audiologist in Owatonna, Minnesota.

    Topics in this Post
    • Ear Health

    Related Posts

    Person laughing with friends Beyond hearing aids: Cochlear implants replace silence with sound
    Michael Ulrich, M.D., is a hyperbaric medicine and wound care specialist. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy restores hearing for Marge LaFrance
    Using cellphone with hearing aid Are OTC hearing devices a good fit for you?

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Price Transparency
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Manage Cookie
    © 2018 - 2025 Mayo Clinic Health System