Noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL, is the second-most common type of hearing loss (right behind presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss). NIHL could affect as many as 40 million adults, and rates of incidence are rising every year.
NIHL is commonly associated with exposure to a single incident of an extremely loud noise, such as an explosion or a loud event like a concert. However, prolonged exposure to above-average noise levels, which you may not even register as being too loud, can also cause NIHL. Let’s discuss some of these noises and how you can be aware of them.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). The quieter the sound, the lower the decibels, and vice versa. A refrigerator humming is around 40 dB. Conversations usually occur at around 60–70 dB. Noises above 85 dB are considered potentially dangerous if you’re exposed to them for a long time, and noises above 120 dB can cause immediate hearing damage.
Hidden Noise Dangers
Many noises we hear daily can reach dangerous levels without us realizing it. Here are some examples to watch out for:
- Blender (85–90 dB)
- Vacuum cleaner (70–85 dB)
- Washing machines and dryers (70–90 dB)
- Garbage disposal (80–95 dB)
- Hair dryer (80–95 dB)
- Lawn mower (90 dB)
- Slamming a door (100 dB)
- Leaf blowers and snow blowers (100–110 dB)
- Police, ambulance and fire truck sirens (120 dB)
- Jackhammers (130 dB)
Also consider the volume of your entertainment devices, such as the television or music through your headphones. Listening to music at the max volume through headphones can reach 150 dB, and those levels are especially dangerous because you’re blasting the music directly into your ear. We recommend keeping the volume below 70%.
How To Protect Your Hearing
The good news is that there are some time limits you can keep in mind. The rule is that for every three dB, sound intensity doubles and the maximum exposure time is cut in half. This looks like:
- Maximum exposure time for 85 dB: 8 hours
- Maximum exposure time for 88 (85 + 3) dB: 4 hours
- 91 dB: 2 hours
- 94 dB: 1 hour
- 97 dB: 30 minutes, etc.
You can also check out decibel-measuring apps for your smartphone so you can always check the volume of your surroundings. Our modern world has many noisy elements to it—cars honking, loud restaurants, construction sites—and we can take for granted how loud it truly gets.
If you’re beginning to notice signs of NIHL, we encourage you to get a hearing test. Doing so will discover the extent of the damage to your hearing, as well as allow you to track changes over time and preempt any further deterioration of your hearing. Contact M.K. Larson Audiology today to schedule an appointment.
