Fortunately, today’s technology makes measuring sound levels a cinch. This allows you to take steps to protect yourself from those sounds. The first step in preventing noise-induced hearing loss is recognizing the danger posed by loud sounds. What does 85 decibels sound like? The dull roar of heavy urban traffic measures around 85 decibels, motorcycles tend to measure around 95 decibels, and sirens generally measure around 120 decibels. How Loud Is Too Loud?Īccording to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, lengthy or repeated exposure to noises at or above 85 decibels can result in hearing loss. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time that a person can experience it before their ability to hear is negatively impacted. Exposure and volume both play a role in determining when a sound is hazardous. Sometimes this damage is the result of continual, long-term exposure to loud sounds however, even a single encounter with a loud sound can cause harm. Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when exposure to loud sounds damages the delicate inner structures of the ear. We live in an incredibly loud world, and most of us don’t realize which sounds or environments can damage their hearing.

The best apps to measure noise levels provide accurate results and make it easy for you to tell when a loud sound is actually too loud. With the right app, you can check whether surrounding sounds are too loud. If you have a smartphone, you already have a valuable tool close at hand that can help you protect your hearing.

Decibel reader app