How many decibels can cause hearing loss?

Loud noise is one of the most common and preventable causes of hearing loss. As a general guide, prolonged or repeated exposure to sounds above roughly 85 decibels (dB) can gradually damage hearing, and the louder the sound, the less time it takes to cause harm. This is why both the volume and the duration of noise matter.

How loud are everyday sounds?

To put decibel levels in context:

• A normal conversation sits at around 60 dB and is safe.
• Busy traffic or a vacuum cleaner is roughly 70 to 80 dB.
• A lawnmower, power tools or heavy machinery can reach 90 to 100 dB.
• Concerts, nightclubs and some earphones at high volume can exceed 100 dB.
• Firearms, sirens up close and similar sources can reach 120 to 140 dB.

The decibel scale is not linear; every increase of a few decibels represents a large jump in sound energy. This means the safe listening time drops sharply as levels climb. At around 85 dB the safe exposure is measured in hours, while at higher levels it can fall to minutes or less.

Why does duration matter as much as volume?

Noise damage is cumulative. A moderately loud sound over a long shift can be as harmful as a very loud sound for a short time. This is the idea behind workplace noise limits in Australia, which set exposure standards based on both level and time. Regular exposure at work, from hobbies, or through personal audio devices can all add up over the years.

What are the warning signs of too much noise?

Signs that a sound may be risky include needing to raise your voice to be heard by someone an arm's length away, ringing in the ears afterwards, or a temporary dullness in hearing following a loud event. These are cues to reduce exposure and protect your ears. A handy modern check is a sound-level meter app on your phone, which can give you a rough idea of how loud an environment is, though it is a guide rather than a precise measurement.

How can you protect your hearing?

Practical steps can lower your risk considerably:

• Use earplugs or earmuffs around loud machinery, power tools, firearms or live music.
• Follow the "60/60" habit with earphones, keeping the volume moderate and taking breaks.
• Move away from loud speakers and give your ears quiet recovery time.
• In noisy workplaces, follow the required hearing protection and monitoring.

Noise-related hearing loss often develops gradually and painlessly, so prevention is far easier than trying to recover lost hearing. If you work in a noisy environment or have noticed changes after loud exposure, a baseline hearing assessment is worthwhile. Custom-moulded earplugs are also available for people regularly exposed to loud sound, and musicians' filters can lower the volume while keeping sound relatively clear.

If you do notice a change, acting early gives you the best chance to protect the hearing you still have and to plan any support that may help. At Hearing Help in Newport Marketplace on the Redcliffe Peninsula, you can book a hearing assessment without a referral, and the audiologist can advise on hearing protection suited to your work and hobbies.