Hearing Protection
Decibels (dB) measure the intensity of sound. The scale runs from the faintest sound the human ear can detect, which is labeled 0dB, to more than 180dB, the noise at a rocket pad during a launch.
Any sound produced at or above 80 decibels (dB) is considered potentially hazardous and may damage the ear. Many work place sounds commonly encountered register at a much higher level; from 90 to over 100 decibels.
Both the amount of noise and the length of time you are exposed to the noise determine its ability to damage your hearing. The noise chart below gives an idea of average decibel levels for everyday sounds around you.
Painful
150dB = rock music, peak
140dB = firearms, air raid sirens, jet engine
130dB = jackhammer
120dB = jet plane take-off, amplified rock music at 4-6ft, car stereo, band practice
Extremely Loud
110dB = rock music, model airplane
106dB = timpani and bass drums
100dB = snowmobile, chain saw, pneumatic drill
90dB = lawnmower, shop tools, truck traffic, subway
Very Loud
80dB = alarm clock, busy street
70dB = busy traffic, vacuum cleaner
60dB = conversation, dishwasher
Moderate
50dB = moderate rainfall
40dB = quite room
Faint
30dB = whisper, quite library
Warning Signs of Hazardous Noise:
- You must raise your voice to be heard
- You can’t hear someone two feet away from you
- Speech around you sounds muffled or dull after leaving a noisy area
- You have pain or ringing in your ears (tinnitus) after exposure to noise
