Your ability to hear is an essential part of your life, so it makes sense to appreciate and take care of what you have. Unfortunately, hearing loss is the third most common health condition faced by older adults, and it is estimated that 37.5 Americans, both young and old, have some degree of hearing loss. During the month of October, see to it that you get your hearing checked and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Because the saying is correct, you don’t know what you had until you lost it. So make sure you protect your hearing while you can by wearing ear protection every time you are exposed to loud noises. Knowing more about the levels of noise and what is considered to be dangerous can go a long way in preserving your hearing.
Being exposed to noises that are over 85 dB (decibels) for an extended period can cause permanent hearing loss. To help you better understand how loud is too loud, learn more about the levels of noise.
Faint
20 dB: Leaves rustling
Soft
30 dB: Whisper
40 dB: Library
Moderate
50 dB: Rainfall (moderate)
60 dB: Dishwashers, normal conversations
Loud
70 dB: Vacuum running, traffic
80 dB: Alarm clocks
Very Loud (Dangerous over 30 minutes)
90 dB: Blenders, lawnmowers, hairdryers, power tools
100 dB: MP3 players on full volume, snowmobiles
110 dB: Sporting events, concerts, car horns
Uncomfortable (Dangerous over 30 seconds)
120 dB: Jet planes, during take-off
Painful and Dangerous (Avoid or use hearing protection)
130 dB: Ambulances, jackhammers
140 dB: Custom car radios at max volume, fireworks, gunshots
October is Audiology Awareness Month, so use this time to reflect on your ability to hear and what you can do to preserve your hearing. Using hearing protection and scheduling regular hearing screenings with an audiologist can go a long way in the fight against hearing loss. So if you haven’t visited your audiologist lately or you have been experiencing a change in your ability to hear, make sure you schedule a visit today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Exposure to noises over 85 decibels (dB) for an extended period can lead to permanent hearing loss. It is important to wear ear protection when exposed to sounds louder than this threshold to preserve your hearing health.
Common sources of very loud noise, which are dangerous if exposed for over 30 minutes, include blenders, lawnmowers, hairdryers, power tools, MP3 players at full volume, snowmobiles, and concerts. Prolonged exposure to these sounds can damage hearing without protection.
Sounds around 120 dB, such as jet planes during take-off, are considered uncomfortable and dangerous if heard for more than 30 seconds. Noises above 130 dB, like ambulances or jackhammers, are painful and dangerous. It is crucial to avoid these sounds or use hearing protection.
October is Audiology Awareness Month to encourage people to appreciate, protect, and care for their hearing. It is an ideal time to schedule hearing screenings, use hearing protection, and raise awareness about the risks of noise exposure and hearing loss.
To protect your hearing, always wear appropriate ear protection like earplugs or earmuffs when you expect to be exposed to noise levels above 85 dB. Limiting the duration of exposure and taking breaks from loud environments can also help preserve your hearing.
Moderate noise levels range between 50 to 60 dB and include sounds such as moderate rainfall, dishwashers, and normal conversations. These levels are generally safe for hearing over extended periods.
You should schedule a hearing screening if you notice any changes in your ability to hear or if it has been a while since your last checkup. Regular screenings help detect early hearing loss and allow for timely intervention to protect your hearing health.