According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise everyday, ranging from sounds of a power lawnmower to chainsaws. This noise can cause severe damage to the ear and produce permanent hearing loss; noise-induced hearing loss is the number one diagnosed occupational disease. NIOSH also noted that 49% of male, metal, and non-metal miners will have a hearing impairment by the age of 50 with 70% being hearing impaired by the age of 60.

People working in industrial settings are not the only ones that need to worry. As a matter of fact, you may be exposed to several noises on a daily basis that can affect a your hearing if exposed to it long enough. One-third of hearing loss is due to loud noises, a loud workplace environment and loud recreational equipment. Unfortunately, those who do not take preventative methods are costing the United States $242.4 million dollars each year in healthcare costs. It is in your best interest to take steps now to prevent hearing, and monetary, loss.

Decibel Levels of Daily Noises  

NIOSH has compiled a list of the decibel measurements (dBA) for common noises you might be exposed to each day at home, work or during recreational activities.  A decibel is a unit that expresses intensity or power.  See what your exposure is to unsafe noises with some of the following examples:

Home: 

• 50 dBA - Refrigerator
• 50-80 dBA – Electric shaver
• 50-80 dBA – Electric shaver
• 60-95 dBA – Hair dryer
• 75-85 dBA – Flushed toilet
• 80 dBA – Ringing phone
• 110 dBA – Crying baby
• 135 dBA – Noisy squeeze toys

Work:

• 40 dBA – Quiet office/ library
• 65-95 dBA – Power lawnmower
• 90-115 dBA – Subway
• 105 dBA – Snow blower
• 120 dBA – Ambulance
• 140 dBA – Airplane take-off
• 180 dBA – Rocket launching from pad

Recreation:

• 70 dBA – Freeway traffic
• 95-110 dBA – Motorcycle
• 110 dBA – Car horn
• 117 dBA – Football game (stadium)
• 150 dBA – Firecracker
• 157 dBA – Balloon pop
• 170 dBA – Shotgun

Other:

• 0 dBA – Softest level the human can hear
• 10 dBA – Normal breathing
• 60 dBA – Normal conversation
• 110 dBA– Shout in the ear
• 120 dBA – Thunder

How Much is Too Much? 

NIOSH states that the maximum amount of time a person can be exposed to 85 dBA without experiencing hearing damage is 8 hours; this is the average level of noise a person hears every day. However, continuous exposure to 85 dBA beyond the 8-hour limit will cause hearing loss. If a person is exposed to level above 85 dBA, the risk of hearing loss increases in a shorter amount of time. The maximum time allowed for 110 dBA (e.g. a crying baby) is 1 minute 29 seconds. If a person is exposed to a noise that has a measurement of 140 dBA (e.g. airplane departure), immediate inner ear damage would result.

Hearing Loss Prevention

There are several ways to prevent damage to your ears in the workplace when you may be exposed to loud noises. A cheap and easy way is to wear earplugs or earmuffs while working in loud areas. These items decrease the levels of power a noise brings to the eardrum. Another way is to have mufflers or acoustic barriers installed in the work area to lower the level of sound an object creates. Finally, if your work place produces high levels of sound, they should provide a program that educates employees on hearing loss and prevention tips. If people are aware of the risks that are apparent when exposed to loud noise, they may be more likely to take precautionary measures to prevent damage.

Hearing loss and ear damage is 100% preventable, but once it strikes, the damage is irreversible and permanent.

Sources: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, League for the Hard of Hearing