Do you know about the dangers of sound? It’s true, continuous exposure to loud sounds can damage your ears (especially your fragile cochlea!) and cause noise-induced hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, an estimated 16 percent of Americans between the ages of 12 and 19 and 15 percent between the ages of 20 and 69 have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss. Many of us know that exposure to loud, continuous sounds such as explosions or gunshots can harm your ears, but even the average, everyday noises can slowly rob you of your hearing.
Noise is a common aspect of our daily lives, but persistent exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause damage. Noises over 100 decibels require ear protection, as noises over 110 decibels can put you at risk of permanent hearing loss. Everyone should try to avoid prolonged loud noise exposure when for those times that you can’t you should take precautions. Some of the precautions you should follow include:
- Wear ear protection (earplugs, earmuffs) when exposed to sounds over 100 decibels.
- Take frequent breaks when you are exposed to continuous loud noise, even if you are wearing ear protection.
- Personal devices should be kept at half volume. Typically you can lower the maximum volume level in the device’s settings.
- If you can, stay away from the sound equipment at concerts or conferences. Make sure you are not sitting or standing near any of the speakers.
- See your audiologist if you believe you may have some degree of hearing loss.
You may be wondering, what are the normal, everyday sounds that can put our hearing in jeopardy? Some of the sounds that you hear on a daily basis are not trivial. They can add up in time. To protect your ears, take precautions when you are exposed to these everyday sounds that can ruin your hearing.
Personal Device Player : 70-100 dB
Blender or Food Processor : 80-90 dB
Hair Dryer : 80-90 dB
Bulldozer (Idling) : 85 dB
Traffic : 85 dB
Concerts : 85-115 dB
Subway : 90 dB
Alarms : 90-120 dB
Drill : 100 dB
Chainsaw : 105-110 dB
Lawnmower or Snow Blower : 106 dB
Car Horn : 115 dB
Thunder : 120 dB
Firecrackers : 140-150 dB
Gunshot : 140-190 dB
Frequently Asked Questions
Noise-induced hearing loss is damage to the ear caused by exposure to loud sounds, which can impair hearing. It occurs when the delicate structures in the cochlea are damaged by prolonged or intense noise. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 16% of Americans aged 12-19 and 15% aged 20-69 have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss.
Sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing damage if exposure is prolonged. Noise levels over 100 decibels require ear protection, while exposure to noises exceeding 110 decibels can result in permanent hearing loss. It is important to minimize exposure and take safety precautions when in loud environments.
When exposed to sounds over 100 decibels, wearing ear protection such as earplugs or earmuffs is essential. Taking frequent breaks from loud noise exposure helps reduce risk, even if ear protection is used. Additionally, personal audio devices should be kept at half volume, and distancing yourself from loudspeakers at events can help protect your hearing.
Common daily sounds like hair dryers and blenders emit noise levels between 80 and 90 decibels, which can contribute to hearing damage over time. Other noises such as traffic, subways, and concerts range from 85 to over 110 decibels and pose similar risks. Consistent exposure to these sounds without protection can gradually impair hearing.
To protect your hearing, keep the volume of personal audio devices at half or lower, which can typically be adjusted in the device settings. Limiting the listening duration at higher volumes also reduces the risk of hearing damage. Using noise-cancelling headphones can help by allowing you to listen at lower volumes in noisy environments.
If you suspect any degree of hearing loss, such as difficulty understanding speech or ringing in your ears, you should see an audiologist promptly. Early evaluation allows for appropriate intervention, which can prevent further deterioration and improve quality of life. Regular hearing check-ups are also advisable if you are frequently exposed to loud noise.
Speakers at concerts and similar events often emit sound levels exceeding 100 decibels, which can damage hearing if you are too close. Sitting or standing near speakers increases your risk of overexposure to dangerously loud sounds. Maintaining distance helps reduce the intensity of the noise reaching your ears and lowers the chance of hearing harm.