Noise level guide
How loud is too loud?
The decibel (dB) is used to measure sound levels. The louder the sound, the more likely it is to damage your hearing and the faster that damage will occur.
| Noise Level | Type of noise | Safe exposure time (without noise protection) |
|---|---|---|
| 30dB | Whisper | Safe |
| 55dB | Normal conversation | Safe |
| 70dB | Soft radio music | Safe |
| 70dB | Vacuum cleaner | Safe |
| 80dB | Washing machine | Safe |
| 85dB | Car traffic | 8 hours |
| 90dB | Personal stereo - average volume | 2 hours |
| 90dB | Bus interior | 2 hours |
| 91dB | Public House | 2 hours |
| 95dB | Bar in a nightclub | 1 hour |
| 100dB | Inside an underground train |
15 minutes |
| 100dB | Hair dryer |
15 minutes |
| 115dB | Personal stereo - maximum volume |
7.5 minutes |
| 130dB | Live band |
66 seconds |
Once a noise reaches over 85dB damage to your hearing may begin. After this every 3dB level increase in sound halves the length of time that your ears can handle the noise before damage starts. If you are exposed to loud sounds protect your hearing using noise plugs or move away from the noise.
Source: British Academy of Audiology
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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.
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