Protect Your Hearing

Sounds are everywhere, at every level. But love it or hate it, high-volume sound can actually damage your hearing. Here’s what to do and when.

Though your mind registers sounds as ”loud” and ”soft,” sound waves may be more precisely measured in decibels (dB). A whisper is about 30dB while a normal conversation measures 60-65dB. Louder sounds like a subway train or city traffic register around 80-95dB. At this point, you should start to take precautions.

Decibel comparison chart*
Audio player set at 5 of 10 volume	94dB
Power tools (drill or power saw)	100-110dB
Power lawnmower	107dB
Loud rock concert	115-150dB
Jet engine at 30 meters (100 feet)	140dB
12-gauge shotgun blast	165dB

Beyond 90-95dB, sustained exposure to loud sounds may result in hearing loss. Even short exposure to sounds over 125dB can cause permanent damage.