Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. Topic Overview The effects of noise on hearing vary among people. Noise levels Noise Average decibels dB Leaves rustling, soft music, whisper 30 Average home noise 40 Normal conversation, background music 60 Office noise, inside car at 60 mph 70 Vacuum cleaner, average radio 75 Heavy traffic, window air conditioner, noisy restaurant, power lawn mower 80—89 sounds above 85 dB are harmful Subway, shouted conversation 90—95 Boom box, ATV, motorcycle 96— School dance — Chainsaw, leaf blower, snowmobile — Sports crowd, rock concert, loud symphony — Stock car races Gun shot, siren at feet As loudness increases, the amount of time you can hear the sound before damage occurs decreases.
Preventing damage to your hearing An easy way to become aware of potentially harmful noise is to pay attention to warning signs that a sound might be damaging to your hearing. A sound may be harmful if: You have difficulty talking or hearing others talk over the sound. The sound makes your ears hurt. Your ears are ringing after hearing the sound.
Other sounds seem muffled after you leave an area where there is loud sound. People who may be regularly exposed to harmful noise because of their jobs include: Those who work with loud machines, vehicles, or power tools, such as construction workers, factory workers, farmers, truck drivers, mechanics, or airport ground crew workers.
Concerts, restaurants, and bars Sporting events, such as football, hockey, and soccer games Motorized sporting events, such as monster truck shows, stock car or road races, and snowmobiling Movie theaters. Power tools Gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers Sirens Firearms Firecrackers. The table below shows dB levels and how noise from everyday sources can affect your hearing. More about decibels.
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You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Cancel Continue. Approaching subway train, car horn at 16 feet 5 meters , and sporting events such as hockey playoffs and football games. The maximum volume level for personal listening devices; a very loud radio, stereo, or television; and loud entertainment venues such as nightclubs, bars, and rock concerts.
Sound is measured in units called decibels dB , just as height is measured in feet or inches. Sounds at or below 70 dBA are generally considered safe. Any sound at or above 85 dBA is more likely to damage your hearing over time. Researchers have found that people who are exposed over long periods of time to noise levels at 85 dBA or higher are at a much greater risk for hearing loss. Many devices that children use today have noise levels much higher than 85 dBA. For example, music played through headphones at the highest volume is often dBA.
For reference, dBA is more than times as intense as 85 decibels! Manufacturers are not required to limit the maximum sound output of music devices.
Fortunately, many devices do have volume limiting controls, which allow you to set the maximum volume to a safe level. A sound gets louder as you move closer to the source and softer as you move away from it. If you are far away from the sound, the risk of damage to your hearing is much lower.
So, for example, the safe exposure time for 88dB is four hours. For sounds of —dB, even a very short exposure time can cause hearing damage. If you keep exposing yourself to loud noise, this damage will become more noticeable and permanent over time.
Remember, the louder the noise is and the longer you are exposed to it, the higher the risk to your hearing.
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