Decibel Chart Guide To Hearing Safely - Miracle-Ear

Blog How is sound measured? Understanding decibel charts Your hearing health Understand decibel charts for safe hearing Last update on Jul, 31, 2024 Healthy reminder Loud noise levels could lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss

We live in an exciting and bustling world. Loud sounds are all around us, from the roaring engines of lawnmowers to the clamor of construction sites. Even your favorite hobbies may involve amplified sound exposure: watching a live concert or the latest movie at the local theater, spending an afternoon at the shooting range or cheering on your team at a live sporting event.

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Loud or excessive noise levels have the potential to damage your hearing, leading to temporary or permanent hearing loss. In fact, 10 million Americans have noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)—the official term for permanent hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure. And as many as 40 million adults have hearing test results that indicate hearing loss from exposure to loud noise.

NIHL can result from brief exposure to extremely high sound levels or repeated exposure to loud noise over time. Sometimes it only affects one ear, however most of the times it affects both. This type of hearing loss often occurs gradually over time, making it hard to detect until the damage is already done. Learn about the science behind sound and how to protect your hearing.

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How is sound measured?

Sound travels in waves. The intensity of energy that these sound waves produce is measured in units called decibels (dB). The lowest hearing decibel level is 0 dB, which indicates nearly total silence and is the softest sound that the human ear can hear. Generally speaking, the louder the sound, the higher the decibel number. So, just how loud is 50, 65, 75, or even 95 decibels? These benchmarks should give you an idea. 

What is a decibel chart?

If you’re interested in analyzing your risk for noise-induced hearing  loss, decibel charts can be a helpful tool. They illustrate the intensity of various everyday sounds, ranging from 0 dB (the softest sound someone with normal hearing abilities can perceive) to 140 dB (the threshold of pain). This can bring awareness to how often you’re exposed to potentially damaging noises and help you know when to use hearing protection for work or hobbies.

Noise measurement of common sounds

The average person doesn’t know the decibel  levels  for everyday environmental sounds. How loud is 50 decibels? How about 60? How loud is 100 decibels? Check out the list below for noise  levels  of common sounds.

• Normal breathing: 10 dB
• Whisper: 30 dB
• Dishwasher: 45-60 dB
• Rainfall: 50 dB
• Air conditioner: 50-75 dB
• Vacuum cleaner: 60-85 dB
• Normal conversation: 65-80 dB
• Movie theater: 70-104 dB
• Food blender, mixer or processor: 80-90 dB
• Lawn mower: 80-100 dB
• Motorcycle: 80-110 dB
• Noisy restaurant: 85 dB
• Sporting events: 94-110 dB
• Music through headphones at maximum volume: 94-110 dB
• Live music: 100-115 dB
• Power saw or leaf blower: 110 dB
• Emergency vehicle sirens: 110-129 dB
• Thunder: 120 dB
• Fireworks: 140-160 dB
• Handgun, shotgun or rifle: 160-170 dB

How many decibels is too loud?

Researchers have discovered that extended or repeated noise exposure to levels of 85 decibels or above can cause permanent hearing loss. When it comes to protecting yourself from damaging levels of sound, wear hearing protection or avoid environments with a sound volume higher than 85 decibels.

Three main factors influence the severity of hearing damage:

Sound level (how loud the sound is)

Proximity (closeness to the sound)

Time (how long you are exposed to it)

Louder noise, faster damage

In fact, for every 10 decibels of noise exposure, the intensity of the sound goes up 10 times. At 85 decibels, the maximum recommended exposure time is 8 hours. By 100 decibels, the noise exposure limit drops to 15 minutes, and at 10 decibels more (110 dB), the risk exposure time plummets to just one minute. Exposure to sound levels for longer than that could result in permanent hearing loss.

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What are the maximum safe exposure times for noise levels? What are the maximum safe exposure times for noise levels?

What is the maximum noise level for worker exposure? In NIOSH-compliant workplaces, it’s required to wear hearing protection when working in environments with noise levels at 85 dB and higher. At 100 decibels, the noise exposure limit drops to 15 minutes, and when sound intensity increases another  10 decibels  (110 dB), the risk exposure time plummets to just one minute. Exposure to sound levels for longer than that could result in permanent hearing loss.

How to protect your hearing from loud sound exposure

Loud sounds are everywhere, and the damage can be permanent. The good news? This type of hearing loss is also very preventable. There are several ways you can protect yourself from the harmful effects of high noise levels.

Turn down the volume Turn down the volume

Learn which sounds in your environment are too loud. For sounds that you can control, dial down the volume to a safer decibel level. Not sure how many decibels is too loud? There are several decibel meter apps (see below) that can provide noise measurement in your environment. More on prevention

Walk away from loud sounds Walk away from loud sounds

The next best thing you can do, if you’re not able to control the volume of the sound, is to simply distance yourself from the source of the sound. At concerts, this might mean moving away from the speakers. You can sit farther away from the source of fireworks during Fourth of July and other celebrations. Hearing loss prevention

Wear hearing protection Wear hearing protection

If you’re in a loud location where you're not able to lower the volume or walk away, be sure to wear proper hearing protection when around damaging levels of noise. Before attending a concert or loud event, always think about how to protect your hearing. There is a huge selection of hearing protection options available today, including ear plugs, earmuffs and noise-cancelling headphones. Earplugs for musicians are specifically engineered to reduce the overall volume while retaining sound quality and clarity, as well as speech comprehension. More on prevention

Best decibel meter apps

We’re all very familiar with units of measurement, such as inches and pounds, but decibel levels can be harder to gauge. Luckily, a variety of decibel meter apps are available for smartphones. As you decide how to protect your hearing, consider these apps, which can measure the noise levels around you to determine how many decibels is too loud. They'll help you take educated action to protect your ears from noise-induced hearing loss.

NIOSH Sound Level Meter App NIOSH Sound Level Meter App

This app was developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to measure noise levels in the workplace for safety and health professionals. However, it is free and available to the general public. The app uses the phone’s built-in microphone to give you real-time noise exposure data, which you can then save and share with others. (Note: For best results, you can purchase an external, calibrated microphone). 

Free; available for iOS only.

Decibel X Decibel X

If you've ever wondered, "how is sound measured?" you may be interested in this popular and free decibel meter app. It turns your smartphone into a professional (and portable) sound level meter, and is known for its accuracy, reliability and easy-to-use interface. Decibel X displays real-time sound levels both numerically (in decibels) as well as visually in beautiful wave and bar graphs. Bonus: This app is also supported by Apple Watch, so you can measure sound right from your wrist.

Free with in-app purchases; available for iOS and Android.

Safe sound: how noises affect our hearing

Test your hearing regularly

It’s increasingly common to be exposed to damaging levels of noise in our everyday lives—so, it’s important to wear hearing protection in loud environments and test your hearing regularly to reduce your risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

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OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires that employers provide annual hearing tests for employees who are exposed to noise levels at or above an 8-hour of 85 decibels (dB). This is part of OSHA's Hearing Conservation Program, which aims to prevent hearing loss due to workplace noise exposure.

Regular hearing tests—especially if you’re over the age of 65, which also puts you at higher risk for age-related hearing loss—can help detect changes to your hearing and help you get the hearing support you need sooner. If you’re concerned about hearing loss, take our online hearing test, or book an appointment for a professional hearing test with a licensed hearing care professional at your local Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center.

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FAQ: Decibel hearing charts

How loud is 50 decibels? How loud is 50 decibels?

Moderate rainfall and ambient noises in the average urban residence have a noise level of 50 dB. This is safe for extended exposure.

How loud is 60 decibels? How loud is 60 decibels?

60 dB is the approximate noise level of an average conversation. This is a normal and safe noise level, to which you can be exposed for extended periods of time without concern about hearing damage.

How loud is 70 decibels? How loud is 70 decibels?

The average office or classroom has a noise level of about 70 dB. It’s considered safe to have prolonged exposure to this decibel level.

How loud is 100 decibels? How loud is 100 decibels?

Sound environments like live concerts, sporting events and construction sites are typically around 100 dB or a bit more. Since prolonged exposure to any sound over 85 dB can cause hearing damage, it’s important to wear hearing protection in these environments. Maximum exposure time for sounds around 100 dB is recommended at 15 minutes without hearing protection. Previous Next

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