How Loud Is Too Loud?

NIHL can be a temporary thing and in most cases it disappears within 16 to 48 hours after exposure. But continual exposure can make NIHL become permanent.

Inner workings

Our inner ear contains the cochlea and is is covered with tiny sensitive sensory structures, called hair cells. These cells are responsible for converting sound waves into neural signals. Constant exposure to loud noises can damage these hair cells. Once damaged, they can’t grow back.

Fortunately most of the noises we are bombarded with on a daily basis are not harmful – annoying but not damaging. But at what point is it too loud?

Sound is measured in units called decibels. Anything about 85 decibels can cause hearing loss with repeated exposure. No more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure is recommended for noises of 100 decibels.The louder the sound, the shorter the time period before NIHL can occur.

Protect your ears

The Hearing Foundation of Canada (THFC) makes the following recommendations:

• Turn down the volume – on mp3 players, TV, car radios, etc.
• Wear earplugs at concerts, sporting events, nightclubs and noisy workplace.
• Wear protective devices for activities such as mowing the lawn, hunting, target shooting, etc. (Stuffing tissue in ears does NOT help!)Increase the distance from the source of loud noises

Turn it Down!

Reducing the amount of time spent in noisy environments and give your ears a break. Here's the decibel level of some common noises:

• 140 decibels: rock concerts, firecrackers
• 120 decibels: boom cars, snowmobiles
• 110 decibels: chain saw
• 100 decibels: woodshop
•  90 decibels: lawn mower, motorcycle
•  80 decibels: city traffic noise
•  60 decibels: normal conversation
•  40 decibels: refrigerator humming
•  20 decibels: whispered voice
•   0 decibels: threshold of normal hearing