Each of us hears slightly differently, but it is assumed that sounds over 80 dB can damage our hearing – especially if we stay in a noisy place for a long time without any hearing protection. And while ordinary conversation, the sound of a hair dryer or a vacuum cleaner or the operation of a car are not dangerous to us, the work of a jackhammer or music played “at full blast” may lead to hearing damage, even permanently.
Often we have no influence on the fact that there is a short-lived, too intense sound next to us – for example, near a car accident or construction works. However, it is important not to stay for a long time in places where the noise exceeds 80 dB and is painful. The changes it causes may be irreversible.
How do I know if my hearing is impaired? When you feel uncomfortable talking to others, constantly turn up the volume of the TV or telephone, because you cannot hear, feel pain in your ears or evident changes in everyday life due to deterioration of your hearing – there is no time to delay, you need to see an otolaryngologist immediately.
Therefore, a level below 85 dB is considered a safe noise level from the labor code rule however if we stay for a long in time if the environment where noise level is between 70db to 80db we still may feel tired and headaches so it may worth it to use hearing protection products with low level of sound attenuation.
Average noise level in DB:
10 dB – whisper
20 dB – rustle of leaves
35 dB – quite music
45-50 dB – conversation
55 dB – hair dryer
60 dB – vacuum
70 – 80 dB – car
85 B – car horn
85 – 95 dB – heavy truck
95 dB – busy car traffic
100 dB – train, pneumatic hammer
110 dB – motorbike on the motorway
120 dB – very loud music
130 – 140 dB – jet takes off
170 dB – space rocket