IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) -- When it comes to finding the toys kids will enjoy, sound is often a big factor in the fun. But too much of it can be dangerous for kids' ears.
Doctors at UC Irvine tested nearly 30 toys using a sound meter to read decibel levels.
The loudest toy tested - the Space Raider Glow Space Gun - measured 115 decibels.
"Definitely could damage the ear even if one is exposed to for short periods of time," said Dr. Hamid Djalilian, a UCI health otolaryngologist.
Djalilian said it only takes about 15 minutes for sound at 100 decibels to cause hearing damage.
"Most of the toys we tested, if they're held at about a foot from the ear, then they wouldn't cause any significant damage to hearing. However, if toys were held against the ear, which is often done by children, then that's when it can cause damage," Djalilian said.
Doctors say stress noise damage as a child is permanent. They recommend placing strong tape or superglue over the speaker to mute the sound.
Parents can also test the product at the store with free smartphone apps, such as Decibel Meter.
Djalilian also recommends supervising children when they're playing with toys to make sure they aren't placing them against their ears.
Below is a list of a few of the toys tested at the ear with no tape in decibels:
Toys For Children Under Three Years Old
Toys for children over three years old
Toys for children over six years old
A full list can be found here