UC Irvine hearing researchers tested the noise levels of some of the more popular toys this holiday season. They found that if parents aren’t careful about how these and other popular toys are used, a season of joy might turn into a lifetime of hearing loss for their children. The researchers warn that many of these emit sounds at decibel levels high enough to cause permanent hearing damage if not used properly. They found that a number of the toys reach decibel levels of 100 or more, equivalent to the sound of a power saw, subway train or power mower. This doesn’t make these toys unsafe, they say, if they are used properly, making it important for parents to offer greater guidance for their proper and safe use.