What Are Safe Decibel Levels for Hearing?
Afraid noise has caused your hearing health to take a hit? Over 40 million other Americans are with you. And while noise-induced hearing loss can't be reversed, you do have the power to protect your ears in the future and take steps to hear the world the way you used to.
How Loud Is Too Loud
What Are Decibels?
The world is full of beautiful sounds—waves rolling onto shore, a crackling summertime fire, the neighbor's lawnmower waking you up on Sunday morning. Alright, that last one is a bit of a stretch, but you get the point. Each sound can be measured in decibel units (dB) and is weighted to represent the sounds the human ear can physically hear (dBA).
Effects of loud music and proactive ways to protect your hearing
Decibel Levels
What Decibel Levels Damage Hearing Health?
If you spend a lot of time in noisy places, you may be wondering how loud is too loud. Can 100 decibels cause hearing loss? What about 70? Three factors come into play: intensity, duration, and distance.
Anything above 85 dBA can damage the small hair cells in your ears and affect your hearing health, either over time or—if it's loud enough—immediately. This is referred to as noise-induced hearing loss. Screen your hearing in less than 5 minutes.
Anything above 85 dBA can damage the small hair cells in your ears and affect your hearing health, either over time or—if it's loud enough—immediately. This is referred to as noise-induced hearing loss. Screen your hearing in less than 5 minutes.
Check Your Hearing in Minutes
Noise exposure can affect your hearing without you even realizing it. Take our free online hearing test today - it only takes a few minutes to see how well you hear.
Assess Your Surroundings
What Sounds Are Safe?
In a fast-paced, noisy world, it can be hard to judge when sounds are too much. But there are ways to better assess your surroundings. A sound level meter (SLM) can help you measure noise; you can even get SLM apps on your smartphone.
Keep in mind: Over 24 hours, you should try to keep noise below 70 dBA, and no higher than 75 dBA over an 8-hour period.
Keep in mind: Over 24 hours, you should try to keep noise below 70 dBA, and no higher than 75 dBA over an 8-hour period.
Sound Source
Sound Source
Decibel Level (dBA)
Impact on Hearing
Whisper
Whisper
30
Safe – no risk to hearing
Normal conversation
Normal conversation
60-70
Safe – prolonged exposure unlikely to cause damage
Power lawn mower
Power lawn mower
90
Potentially harmful after long exposure
Rock concert
Rock concert
120
Can cause immediate hearing damage
Fireworks
Fireworks
150-175
Extremely dangerous – may cause instant hearing loss
How to Protect Your Hearing?
Tips for Safe Listening
There are ways to protect your hearing health while still enjoying sound to the fullest. Whether listening to music or enjoying an audiobook, make sure to:
Turn the volume down
Set volume limits on your devices
Move away from loud speakers
Wear ear protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs
How to Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss can't be reversed and can cause major issues, from speech and learning difficulties to muffled sound and ringing in the ears. While we might not always be able to escape every noisy place all the time, the good news is: we can always protect our ears.
So what can you do?
- 1.
Avoid or move away from loud noises
- 2.
Limit your exposure time to high decibels
- 3.
When you can't avoid loud noises, wear ear protection
- 4.
Keep sound systems at lower levels
Frequently Asked Questions
What everyday sounds are most likely to damage hearing?
Are some people more sensitive to noise damage than others?
Don't miss a beat
Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed and learn more about protecting and improving your hearing health.
