Noise Induced Hearing loss – How loud is too loud?

Yonah Orlofsky, AuD • August 12, 2020

Noise Induced Hearing loss – How loud is too loud?

People often wonder at what point does loud noise exposure become dangerous to our auditory system. First, we need to understand why loud noise would potentially cause a hearing loss. On a simplistic level, sound enters our ear and hair cells inside the inner ear pick up the sound and send signals to the brain. When very loud sounds reach the inner ear they can either temporarily or permanently damage those hair cells, inhibiting them from functioning properly. OSHA (occupational safety and health administration) recommends that individuals who are working in loud environments should limit their exposure to 85dB –90dB over a period of 8 hours. Every increase of 5dB requires the person to limit their exposure by half of that amount of time. (I.e. 95 db of exposure for 4 hours only.) This means that if someone listens to music through their headphones at a soft or moderate level, they can listen for a long time without fearing any damage to their inner ear. (Many experts recommend to keep the volume on your I-Phone to about 60% of the way up on the slider to ensure healthy hearing levels ) On the other hand, if someone is exposed 100dB sound or louder, they can potentially impair their hearing even in a short amount of exposure. ASHA American Speech and Hearing Association) created the following easy- to- read chart for understanding which environmental noises can be dangerous. If you are someone who is exposed to loud noise - speak to an audiologist about hearing protection solutions.

Painful impulse noise—Not safe for any period of time

150 dBP = fireworks at 3 feet, firecracker, shotgun

140 dBP = firearms

Painful steady noise—Not safe for any period of time

130 dBA = jackhammer

120 dBA = jet plane takeoff, siren, pneumatic drill

Extremely loud—Dangerous to hearing; wear earplugs or earmuffs

112 dBA = maximum output of some MP3 players, rock concert, chainsaw

106 dBA = gas leaf blower, snow blower

100 dBA = tractor, listening with earphones

94 dBA = hair dryer, kitchen blender, food processor

Very loud—Dangerous to hearing; wear earplugs or earmuffs

91 dBA = subway, passing motorcycle, gas mower

Moderate—Safe listening for any time period

70 dBA = group conversation, vacuum cleaner, alarm clock

60 dBA = typical conversation, dishwasher, clothes dryer

50 dBA = moderate rainfall

40 dBA = quiet room

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