Excessive noise is one of the primary causes of hearing loss. Permanent
hearing loss can occur almost instantly with unprotected exposure to certain
sounds. The consequences of this damage are high-frequency hearing loss,
difficulty hearing in noise, and/or tinnitus. If you are worried about
hearing loss due to excessive noise,
request an appointment for a hearing evaluation through MyChart.
How to Avoid Excess Noise
Wear hearing protection if the sound level around you exceeds 85 dB
Lower your TV and music volume, especially if you use headphones or earbuds
Wear custom noise filters or solid earplugs when you go to concerts, nightclubs,
stadiums and other loud places
Use noise-canceling headphones or other ear protection when using noisy
equipment such as drills, lawnmowers, saws, chainsaws, etc.
Types of Hearing Protection
Foam earplugs – a non-custom, one-time use, one-size-fits-all form
of protection that is the most widely recognized and used
Custom earplugs – custom fit to the contours of a person’s
unique ear; last for an extended amount of time and can be used in many
situations. Can be used for: watersport, motorsport, industrial, sleep,
music, etc.
Electronic hearing protection – digital products that feature high-definition
sound enhancement and automatic noise suppression
Decibel Levels
Decibels (dB) measure the intensity of sound. Experts typically consider
exposure to more than 85 dB to be dangerous.
A whisper is about 20 dB.
Loud music (some concerts) is around 80 to 120 dB.
A jet engine is about 140 to 180 dB.
Sound Levels of Common Noises
Decibels noise source:
Safe range:
30 - Whisper
40 - Refrigerator
60 - Normal conversation
75 - Dishwasher
Risk range:
85 - Heavy city traffic, school cafeteria
95 - Motorcycle
100 - Snowmobile
110 - Chain saw, jackhammer, rock concert, symphony
