We worked on this test with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Initially we screened around 200 toys for noise; we then selected 21 for full laboratory testing to the children's toys standard (AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2002).
The toys ranged in price from $2 to $80. They included hand-held toys, table-top or floor toys, rattles, squeeze toys, and toys held close to the ear.
The standard recommends different maximum-noise levels depending on how the toy is meant to be used. For instance, a toy normally used on the floor can be louder than one that's held to the ear.
Because the human ear perceives sound in a distinct way, we tested the toys for their maximum sound level and also as heard by humans.
What damages our hearing?
Our hearing can be damaged by brief exposure to intense noises or by long exposure to less-intense noises.
Sound is created by rapid changes in air pressure. These changes cause our eardrums to vibrate in sympathy. The eardrum vibrations are linked to the cochlear deep inside our inner ears, which contain minute hairs linked to nerve cells that tell our brain we are hearing something.
If those minute hairs are vibrated too much by loud sound, they become damaged. And from then on - for the rest of our lives - we can't hear as well.
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