From lawn mowers to rock concerts to elevated conversations at a crowded restaurant, sometimes sounds can get loud. But how loud is too loud? Based on the type and volume of noise, when should you wear hearing protection? And what can happen if you don’t? Dr. Arica Rock, Au.D. offers a helpful overview. Watch more Q&As, then schedule your appointment with us at either our Bloomington or Pontiac locations.
Thomas in Bloomington asks, “What is a dangerous decibel level, and what are some examples of sounds at those levels?” Anything over 85 dB can be harmful to your hearing. Safe levels at 85 dB would only be for 8 hours, but then if you just go up by 5 dB to 90, the safe time would only be 4 hours. 85-95 dB can be heavy equipment, table saws, lawn mowers. 100 dB is gonna be factory equipment. 110 can be a jackhammer, rock concert. 140 dB is the loudness of a gunshot. Anything at 140 dB can cause pain and immediate hearing loss. 60dB is normal conversational level. So a rule of thumb is if you’re standing 3 ft away from somebody, or arm’s length, and you have to shout to be heard, the noise is probably hazardous and you should wear hearing protection. If you’re gonna be around loud noise for an extended period of time, it’s important you use hearing protection. I’m Dr. Arica Rock from Bloomington-Normal Audiology, and we’re ‘hear’ for you.