How Loud Is Too
Loud? How Long
Is Too Long?
®
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Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) occurs when tiny sensory hair cells in our inner
ears are damaged by sounds that are too loud and that last for too long. But how
loud is too loud, and how much time is too long? The answers are related: the
louder the sound, the shorter the time before damage can occur. Read on to learn
more about the mathematics of NIHL.
How is sound measured? How does time multiply the danger
Sound is measured in units called of NIHL?
decibels. Decibel levels begin at zero,
NIHL is related both to the decibel level
which is near total silence and the
of a sound and to the amount of time
weakest sound our ears can hear. By
you are exposed to it. The distance you
comparison, a whisper is 30 decibels and
are from the sound also matters. A sound
a normal conversation is 60 decibels. An
gets louder as you move closer to the
increase of 10 means that a sound is 10
source and softer as you move away from
times more intense, or powerful. To your
it. If you are far away from the sound,
ears, it sounds twice as loud. The sound
its intensity and its potential to cause
of an ambulance siren at 120 decibels
damage are much lower. In addition, the
is about 1 trillion times more intense
impact of noise adds up over a lifetime.
than the weakest sound our ears can
If you are exposed to loud sounds on a
hear. Sounds that reach 120 decibels are
regular basis, your risk for permanent
painful to our ears at close distances.
damage adds up as you age.
Scientists believe that, depending upon
NIHL is also related to a person’s genes.
the type of sound, the pure force of
Some people are more likely than
its vibrations at high decibel levels
others to develop NIHL when they listen
can cause hearing loss. Recent studies
to certain sounds. Scientists are working
also show that exposure to sounds
to determine which people are more at
at harmful decibel levels triggers the
risk for NIHL and which are less at risk.
formation of molecules inside the ear
For this reason, we all need to protect
that damage hair cells. These destructive
our hearing when we are exposed to
molecules play an important role in
loud noise.
hearing loss in children and adults who
listen to loud noise for too long.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH • NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
Researchers who study hearing loss How can I reduce the possibility
in the workplace have found that a of NIHL?
person who is exposed to noise levels
at or above 85 decibels for a prolonged Your ears can be your warning system
period of time is at risk for hearing for potentially dangerous noises. The
loss. For this reason, these workers are noise is too loud when:
required to wear hearing protectors, • You have to raise your voice
such as earplugs or earmuffs, while to be understood by someone
they are on the job. Many devices that standing nearby.
children use today have noise levels
much higher than 85 decibels. For • The noise hurts your ears.
example, an MP3 player at maximum • You develop a buzzing or ringing
level is roughly 105 decibels. That’s 100 sound in your ears, even temporarily.
times more intense than 85 decibels!
Scientists recommend no more than • You don’t hear as well as you
15 minutes of unprotected exposure normally do until several hours after
to sounds that are 100 decibels. In you get away from the noise.
addition, regular exposure to sounds at If you are around noises at this level,
110 decibels for more than one minute take protective action. To avoid NIHL:
risks permanent hearing loss.
• Turn down the sound.
• Avoid the noise (walk away).
• Block the noise (wear earplugs
or earmuffs).
The Noisy Planet logo is a registered trademark of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) sponsors It’s a Noisy Planet. Protect
Their Hearing. This national public education campaign is designed to increase awareness among parents of children
ages 8 to 12 about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). With this information, parents and
other adults can encourage children to adopt healthy hearing habits before and during the time that they develop
listening, leisure, and working habits. To find out more about how to protect your hearing and that of your family,
visit the Noisy Planet website at http://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov.
For more information about your hearing and hearing loss, contact: NIDCD Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
Voice: (800) 241-1044
TTY: (800) 241-1055
Fax: (301) 770-8977
E-mail: [email protected]
NIH Publication No. 10–6433
NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health® October 2010
Reprinted February 2014
