Protecting Your Hearing From Noise: How Loud Is Too Loud?

Noise is a preventable cause of hearing loss

Weddings, concerts, motorbikes, power tools, sirens and earphones turned up high: everyday life can be loud. The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) explains that loud sounds can damage sensitive structures in the inner ear and cause noise-induced hearing loss, which can be temporary or permanent and can affect one ear or both.

The good news, according to NIDCD, is that noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss that is completely preventable. The World Health Organization (WHO) also notes that exposure to loud sounds is one of the most common preventable causes of hearing loss in adults.

How loud is too loud?

NIDCD gives two useful reference points:

• Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA), even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss.
• Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss.

NIDCD lists typical levels, for example:

• Normal conversation: about 60 to 70 dBA.
• Motorbikes and dirt bikes: about 80 to 110 dBA.
• Sirens: about 110 to 129 dBA.
• Fireworks shows: about 140 to 160 dBA.

WHO adds a weekly guide: you can safely listen to a sound level of 80 dB for up to 40 hours a week. The louder the sound, the shorter the safe time.

Safe listening with earphones and headphones

WHO advises:

• Keep the volume on personal devices at no more than 60% of maximum.
• Use well-fitted, noise-cancelling headphones so you do not need to raise the volume in noisy places.
• Give your ears frequent breaks from loud sounds.
• Limit time spent on noisy activities.
• Monitor sound levels, for example with apps.

At loud events and work

• Protect your ears. NIDCD advises wearing earplugs or other protective devices when involved in a loud activity. WHO advises using ear protectors such as earplugs in noisy places.
• Move away. If you cannot reduce the noise or protect yourself from it, NIDCD advises moving away from it.
• Too loud, too close, too long. NIDCD's rule of thumb is to avoid noises that are too loud, too close or last too long. At a wedding hall, that may mean not sitting next to the speakers.

Earplugs come in many forms. G-Sound's custom earplugs page explains the options made to the shape of the ear.

Warning signs

NIDCD describes how damage from noise can show up over time: sounds may become distorted or muffled, and you may have to turn up the volume on the television. NIDCD notes that loud noise can also cause tinnitus, a ringing, buzzing or roaring in the ears or head. WHO advises heeding the warning signs of hearing loss.

If you notice these signs, avoid further loud exposure and have your hearing checked.

If you already wear hearing aids

Hearing protection still matters. Talk to your hearing care provider about how to protect your ears in loud settings with your type of hearing aids. You can call G-Sound in English. G-Sound offers Philips and Oticon hearing aids.