Sounds are everywhere, at every level. But love it or hate it, high-volume sound can actually damage our hearing.
Here’s what to do and when.
Though our 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 the mrt register around 80-95dB. At this point, we 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.
What you can do to protect your hearing:
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- Turn it down. Keep your music listening enjoyable—and healthy—by keeping the volume turned below the halfway mark, especially if using earphones. Even at this level, it’s wise not to use an MP3 player or other audio devices for more than 4 hours a day.
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- Play it safe. If you work around loud noises, make sure you’re wearing proper protection. WSHC requires ear protection in most noisy environments, so use it even if you’re not regularly in the loud areas.
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- Choose wisely. You can make active choices about the sound level in your home by choosing low-noise appliances. Refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. may have dB ratings you can compare before you buy.
- Stand back and take cover. You can’t avoid every loud noise. But when you know one is coming, do your part to stay safe. Step back from a source like an amplifier. Cover your ears when walking past construction work. Just cupping your hands over your ears or gently putting your fingers in your ear canals can make a healthy difference to your long-term hearing.
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