Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Written By Rachel Magann Faivre, Au.D.

Frequent exposure to noise is known to cause high frequency hearing loss and ringing in your ears. Damage to your ears can occur immediately if the sound is loud enough (such as, an explosion) or over a period of time if you’re exposed to a continuously loud environment (such as, a woodworking shop). If your job or hobbies require you to be exposed to noise, it’s important to get a ‘baseline audiogram’, so you’ll know if noise begins to damage your hearing. You should always use hearing protection if you know you’re going to be in a noisy situation, and give your ears time to recover from noise if possible. Watch this video to learn more about what noise induced hearing loss is and why it happens.

Here are the loudness levels, or ‘decibels’, of some common sounds,

  • Normal conversation: 60-70 dBA

  • Movie theater: 75-105 dBA

  • Motorcycles and dirt bikes: 80-110 dBA

  • Music through headphones at maximum volume, sporting events, concerts, and power tools: 95-110 dBA

  • Sirens: 110-130 dBA

  • Fireworks show and firearms: 140-160 dBA

Rachel Magann Faivre, Au.D.
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