Loud noise can be very damaging to hearing. Both the level of noise and the length of time you listen to the noise can put you at risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Noise levels are measured in decibels, or dB for short. The higher the decibel level, the louder the noise. Sounds that are louder than 85 dB can cause permanent hearing loss. The hearing system can be injured not only by a loud blast or explosion but also by prolonged exposure to high noise levels. How loud is too loud? The noise chart below lists average decibel levels for everyday sounds around you. 150 dB = fireworks at 3 feet 140 dB = firearms, jet engine 120 dB = jet plane takeoff, siren 110 dB = maximum output of some MP3 players, model airplane, chain saw 106 dB = gas lawn mower, snowblower 100 dB = hand drill, pneumatic drill 90 dB = subway, passing motorcycle 80–90 dB = blow-dryer, kitchen blender, food processor 70 dB = busy traffic, vacuum cleaner, alarm clock

60 dB = typical conversation, dishwasher, clothes dryer 50 dB = moderate rainfall 40 dB = quiet room 30 dB = whisper, quiet library How can I tell if I am listening to dangerous noise levels?Beaded Door Curtain 200cm How can loud noise damage hearing?Vacuum Cleaner Dyson Dc41 Understanding how we hear will help you to understand how loud noise can hurt your hearing.Husky Puppies For Sale Quad Cities One of the most common bad effects of loud noise on hearing is a permanent hearing loss. This happens in the following way: How else can loud noise be harmful? Loud noise can increase fatigue and cause irritability. Noise can reduce the ability to pay attention to tasks. This is a concern at the workplace when it comes to workers' safety: The ability to detect faulty equipment operation or warning signals can be reduced.

Noise can also reduce productivity. Noisy classrooms can make it harder for children to learn. To read more about the harmful impact of noise in schools, view the Classroom Acoustics page. Noisy backgrounds can make understanding conversation harder. The noise can mask or cover up some of the sounds of speech, making a word like "time" sound like "dime." More concentration and energy are needed not only to listen and hear over the noise but also to speak louder. As a result, voices can be strained, and laryngitis can develop. Another common effect of loud sound on hearing is tinnitus. Tinnitus is ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ear. Loud noise can also cause other physical problems, such as: How can I protect my own or my child’s hearing from loud noise? The key words are education and prevention! Dealing with noise and its effects on your hearing is a personal responsibility. The obvious first rule is to avoid loud noise whenever possible.

A good rule of thumb is to remember that if you must shout to be heard, then you should avoid the situation. In typical day-to-day activities, you and your children can be exposed to damaging noise from many sources, such as: In addition, recreational activities can be sources of damaging noise: Here are some things you can do:Cotton in the ears will not work. Hearing protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, can be purchased at drugstores, hardware stores, or sports stores. Custom earmolds can be made to fit your ears by an audiologist. Learn how to correctly insert the earplugs and earmolds for the best noise reduction. Earplugs are placed into the ear canal so that they totally block the canal. They come in different shapes and sizes, or they can be custom-made by taking an impression of the ear. Earplugs can reduce noise by 15 to 30 decibels (dB) depending on how they are made and fit. Earmuffs fit completely over both ears. They must fit tightly so that sound is blocked from entering the ears.

Like earplugs, muffs can reduce noise 15 to 30 dB depending on how they are made and fit. Earplugs and earmuffs can be used together to achieve even greater sound reduction. Use of earplugs and earmuffs is recommended when noise exposure is particularly high. Do not listen to loud sounds for too long. If you don’t have hearing protection, move away from the loud sound. Give your ears a break from the sound. Plug your ears with your fingers as emergency vehicles pass on the road. Lower the loudness of the sound. Keep personal listening devices set to no more than half volume. Don’t be afraid to ask others to turn down the sounds from speakers. Speak to the movie theater projectionist if the movie sound track is too loud. Be a good consumer. Look for noise ratings on appliances, sporting equipment, power tools, and hair dryers. This is especially important when purchasing toys for children. Be a local advocate. Some movie theaters, health clubs, dance clubs, bars, and amusement centers are very noisy.

Speak to managers and those in charge about the loud noise and the potential damages to hearing. Ask to have the noise source lowered. Can my ears get used to noise? Don't be fooled by thinking your ears are "tough" or that you have the ability to "tune it out"! Noise-induced hearing loss is usually gradual and painless but, unfortunately, permanent. Once destroyed, the hearing nerve and its sensory nerve cells do not repair. If you think you have "gotten used to" the noise you routinely encounter, you may already have some hearing damage. It is estimated that 0 dB corresponds roughly to the quietest sound that can be heard by a healthy young adult. Normal conversation has a level of 60-70 dB, while sounds above about 100 dB tend to be uncomfortably loud and can damage our ears if heard for a long time. Sounds with a level above 120 dB can damage peoples' ears within a very short time, perhaps only a few minutes. Dangers of Excessive Decibels to Hearing When the level of a sound is increased by 10dB, the subjective loudness roughly doubles, whereas the sound power actually increases by a factor of 10.

The smallest detectable change in level is about 1dB. The system was named after Alexander Graham Bell [1847-1922], who is given credit for being the inventor of the telephone. "Numerous studies have shown prolonged exposure to 85 decibels or more can cause permanent hearing loss. Other physiological damage can occur at lower levels." "A single, explosive noise is capable of damaging hair cells, but hearing loss is usually the result of continual exposure to volumes over 80-85 decibels." Decibel or dB Levels 180 decibels, equivalent to a rocket launching pad [hearing loss inevitable]. 140 decibels, equivalent to a gunshot blast, jet plane take-off at close range [approximately 200 feet], air raid siren [any length of exposure time is dangerous and is at the threshold of pain]. 130 decibels, equivalent to sound vibrations felt, as with thunder or near a four-engine jet at thirty meters. 125 decibels, equivalent to a diesel engine room. 120 decibels, equivalent to an amplified rock concert in front of speakers, sand-blasting, thunderclap [immediate danger], a nearby airplane engine, some rock or hard-metal cacophony groups, pneumatic hammer at one meter, thunderclap over head [at around 120 dB, the sensation of hearing is replaced by that of pain].

110 decibels, equivalent to deafening factory noises and some musical boxes turned up too loudly, discotheque, thunder, rock-n-roll band. 108 decibels, equivalent to the coqui frog croak of Puerto Rico [up to 108 dB]. 105 decibels, In a Malaysian surgical-glove factory, making surgical-latex gloves by dipping porcelain models of the human hand into liquid latex, which when dried, is blown off the hands by air jets. Before modifications to the air jets, the gloves were blown off every 30 seconds at a deafening 125 decibels. 100 decibels, equivalent to a chain saw, pneumatic drill, printing plant, jackhammer, speeding express train, some car horns at five meters, farm tractor, riveting machine, some noisy subways [about 20 feet]. 90 decibels, equivalent to a police whistle, heavy traffic, truck traffic, noisy home appliances subway-rail train, pneumatic drill [or hammer] at one meter, walk-man ear phone [average volume], rock drill at 100 feet, some motorcycles at 25 feet, shouted conversation.

80 decibels, equivalent to heavy city traffic [25-50 feet], alarm clock at two feet, factory noise, vacuum cleaner, heavy truck, loud-radio music, garbage disposal. 70 decibels, equivalent to typewriter, average factory noise, busy traffic [at one meter], office tabulator, noisy restaurant [constant exposure], quiet vacuum cleaner, TV. 60 decibels, equivalent to an air conditioner at twenty feet, conversation [at one meter], sewing machine, large transformer, ordinary or average street traffic. 50 decibels, equivalent to quiet radio, average home, light traffic at a distance of 100 feet, refrigerator, gentle breeze, average office, non-electric typewriter, ordinary spoken voice. 40 decibels, equivalent to quiet office, living room, bedroom away from traffic, residential area [no traffic]; many computer hard drives range an average of 40-50 dB, soft whisper [five feet]. 30 decibels, equivalent to quiet conversation, soft whisper, quiet suburb, speech in a broadcasting studio.