You can experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) from one encounter with a loud noise (like a roaring fire alarm). When sounds are too loud, it doesn’t take very long for hearing loss to follow. The longer a person is exposed to the noise, the more risk there is of hearing loss. It’s especially true if you don’t wear protection for your hearing or if there’s no break in between the exposures.
Here are some examples of loud noises to which you may be vulnerable. Daily Life
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Typical Sources of Noise and Decibel Levels Decibels (dB) are the unit of measurement of sound. A soft voice is approximately 30 dB, a conversation in a normal tone is about 60 dB, and the running engine on a motorcycle is about 95 dB. Noise that surpasses 70 dB for an extensive amount of time could begin to harm your hearing. Any noise over 120 dB can instantly damage your hearing abilities. Here are some examples of everyday noises and their decibel levels. These sounds generally do not cause hearing loss: The softest sound heard by humans: 0 dB Normal breathing: 10 dB The ticking noise from a watch: 20 dB Whispers: 30 dB Refrigerator hum: 40 dB Normal conversation, air conditioner: 60 dB Washing machine and dishwasher: 70 dB - may cause a mild disturbance. City traffic (while inside a vehicle): 80-85 dB - may cause more disturbance. The following sounds can cause hearing loss: Gas-powered lawnmower/leaf blowers: 80-85 dB - may damage hearing after a 2-hour exposure. Motorcycle: 95 dB - may damage hearing after a 50-minute exposure. Oncoming subway, train, or car horn within 16 feet, and crowded sports arena: 100 dB - may damage hearing after 15 minutes. The highest volume level for personal listening devices; a TV, a smartphone; and establishments for entertainment (bars, clubs, rock concerts): 105-110 dB - may damage hearing within 5 minutes or less. Yelling or a dog barking in your ear: 110 dB - may damage hearing in 2 minutes or less. Being near loud sirens: 120 dB - can cause ear pain and injury, in addition to hearing loss. Firecrackers going off: 140-150 dB - can lead to pain, ear injury, and hearing loss. How can you determine which sound levels are safe? The impact of low noise levels over an extended time is the same as loud noises heard over a shorter time. You can use a sound level meter (SLM) app to measure noise levels in your environment. Some apps can predict the maximum amount of noise you can handle daily. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend keeping environmental noises lower than 70 dBA over 24 hours - that’s 75 dBA over 8 hours - to avoid noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing problems, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation. Comments are closed.
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