Noise Exposure Levels
Daily exposure to noise directly affects your risk of hearing damage. Scientists measure daily exposure to noise by combining the noise level and the length of exposure time to a particular noise.
What's your daily exposure to noise?
| 140 dB |
Gunshot, jet engine at takeoff
Immediate danger to hearing |
| 125 dB |
Air raid siren, firecracker
Pain threshold |
| 120 dB |
Rock concert, sandblasting
Risk of hearing damage in 7 minutes |
| 115 dB |
Baby's cry, jet ski
Risk of hearing damage in 15 minutes |
| 110 dB |
Snowmobile from driver's seat
Risk of hearing damage in 30 minutes |
| 105 dB |
Jackhammer, helicopter
Risk of hearing damage in 1 hour |
| 100 dB |
Chain saw, stereo headphones
Risk of hearing damage in 2 hours |
| 95 dB |
Motorcycle, power saw
Risk of hearing damage in 4 hours |
| 90 dB |
Lawnmower, truck traffic
Risk of hearing damage in 8 hours |
| 85 dB |
Beginning of OSHA Regulations |
| 70 dB |
Busy traffic, vacuum cleaner |
| 60 dB |
Conversation, dishwasher |
| 40 dB |
Quiet room |
*dB SPL is a measurement of sound pressure level in decibels