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dBs and listening time limits

30 dB

​Washing machine

Safe all day

100 dB

Sporting event

15 minutes 

85 dB*

Traffic

8 hours

110 dB

Rock concert

Less than 2 minutes

90 dB

Leaf blower

2 hours

120 dB

Siren

Less than 1 minute

Safe limit recommended by CDC (NIOSH-98) is 85 dB over 8-hours

  • dB, the measure of sound power, is logarithmic

  • This means that with small increase in dB above the 85 dB limit, the safe time drops quickly

  • The chart above shows how quickly the listening times drop above 85 dB

  • Listening above the limit causes harm to the stereocilia

  • Hearing loss can happen with repeated harm or by one time harm

​

Safe sounds (dB): Do not typically cause damage when listening all-day

  • Normal breathing (10)

  • Ticking watch (20)

  • Soft whisper (30)

  • Refrigerator hum (40)

  • Normal conversation (60)

  • Air conditioner (60)

 

Just below being unsafe (dB) - you may be annoyed if listening for too long

  • Washing machine (70)

  • Dishwasher (70)

  • City traffic, inside the car (80–85)

 

Unsafe (dB) - can cause hearing loss, pain, ear injury

  • Gas-powered lawn-mowers (85-90)

  • Motorcycle (95)

  • Power tools (95-115)

  • Approaching subway train, car horn, and sporting events such as hockey, football (100+)

  • Maximum volume level for personal listening devices; a very loud radio, stereo, or television; loud entertainment venues such as nightclubs, bars, rock concerts (100+)

  • Shouting or barking in the ear (110+)

  • Sirens (120+)

  • Firecrackers (140-150+)

It is important to know the dB AND how long you are listening at that dB

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