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Noise level guide
How loud is too loud?
The decibel (dB) is used to measure sound levels. Here's a quick guide to the decibel level of a range of common sounds, so you know when to think about taking action to protect your hearing.
| Decibels | Activity | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 40dB | Quiet room | |
| 60dB | Conversation, dishwasher | |
| 70dB | Busy traffic, vacuum cleaner | |
| 85dB | Hairdryer, blender - Beginning of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Noise Regulations | Risk of hearing damage in 8 hours |
| 90dB | Lawnmower, lorry traffic, food processor | Risk of hearing damage in 8 hours |
| 95dB | Motorcycle, power saw | Risk of hearing damage in 4 hours |
| 100dB | Chainsaw, stereo headphones | Risk of hearing damage in 2 hours |
| 105dB | Jackhammer, helicopter | Risk of hearing damage in 1 hour |
| 110dB | Night club, symphony orchestra | Risk of hearing damage in 30 minutes |
| 115dB | Baby's cry, jet ski | Risk of hearing damage in 15 minutes |
| 120dB | Rock concert, sandblasting |
Risk of hearing damage in 7 minutes |
| 125dB | Air raid siren, firecracker |
Pain threshold |
| 140dB | Jet engine at takeoff |
Immediate danger to hearing |
| 160dB | Shotgun |
Immediate danger to hearing |
18 everyday sounds that can hurt your hearing
There are more than 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss, or 1 in 6 of the population. By 2035, it’s estimated that there’ll be 15.6 million people with hearing loss in the UK - that’s 1 in 5.
Exposure to loud noise is a leading cause. So what is considered “loud”? Exposure to any sound 85dB and above can cause hearing damage, though duration is also a factor. Here are 18 common sounds that
typically top 85dB.
