Protect your kids hearing from damaging toys

There is a serious risk of product liability claims being made by parents whose children are exposed to toys that damage their hearing.

Tests carried out on a range of noise-emitting toys by Deafness Research UK www.deafnessresearch.org.uk revealed that the majority produced dangerous levels of noise that could possibly cause noise-induced hearing loss.

Fourteen out of the 15 toys tested allegedly produced noise levels exceeding the recommended safety limit when held close to the ear and half of these had levels very close to the recommended safety limits when held as far away as nine inches.

All toys were aimed at those aged between three months and 15 years, meaning that parents should stay alert to the risks of potential hearing damage and the need to pursue product liability compensation claims on behalf of their children.

Among those tested were national bestsellers such as Pixar Car's Lightning McQueen, Fireman Sam's Friction Jupiter and Tomy's Spin'n'Sound remote-controlled car. The one toy found to have a noise level below the safety threshold was a VTech mobile phone for babies.

In response, Tomy issued a statement contesting the study. They ascertain that they had an independent safety certificate showing compliance with European acoustic requirements, "The Tomy Spin 'n' Sound toy is not intended to be played with close to the ear so these sound level limits do not apply."

Even so, parents are advised that they should be particularly cautious when purchasing new toys to avoid the chances of their children being exposed to personal injury. Those buying, or allowing their children to buy, toy guns should take extra special care. A toy machine gun and cap gun were some of the toys with the highest noise levels that could lead to immediate, permanent hearing loss.

Deafness Research UK advises that children should keep their distance from loud toys and they should limit playing time. Dr Brad Backus, who initiated the tests, said that the toys even left his ears ringing, "Our advice is pretty simple: don't let your child hold noisy toys too close to their ear and don't let them play with them for more than an hour a day."

For more information on this study visit www.deafnessresearch.org.uk.

Making a product liability claim today
If you or your child have had suffered hearing damage or sustained some other kind of personal injury as a result of a faulty product then you could make a no win, no fee claim through us.

YouClaim are the UK personal injury claim experts and have helped thousands of people to make successful product liability claims.

Making a compensation claim through us is both hassle-free and cost free. We will talk you through each stage of the process in plain English and promise not to charge you a penny, regardless of whether your claim is a success or not.

Make a product liability claim today by filling out a claim assessment form online or by calling our 24-hour claim advisors for free on 0800 10 757 95.