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Loudness guide (decibels)
Loudness is measured in decibels (dB), on a scale where every 10 dB is roughly a doubling of perceived loudness. Sound damages hearing through a mix of how loud it is and how long you are exposed — so both the level and the time matter.
This is general reference and self-screening information, not a hearing diagnosis. Online results depend heavily on your headphones, volume and surroundings. See a doctor or audiologist for a proper test, and treat sudden hearing loss as urgent.
Loud plus long is the danger
Brief everyday sounds are harmless. The risk comes from loud sound over time: prolonged exposure above about 85 dB can gradually damage the hair cells in the inner ear, and once they are gone they do not grow back. A single very loud event, like an explosion or a blast right by your ear, can harm hearing instantly.
The 3-dB rule
Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, small numbers mean big changes. A widely used occupational guideline treats 85 dB as safe for eight hours, and every extra 3 dB halves the safe time — so 88 dB is safe for about four hours, 91 dB for two, and so on. The exact limits differ between countries and standards, but the direction is always the same: a little louder means a lot less time.
Protect your hearing
The practical takeaways: turn personal audio down (many phones show a warning and a weekly average), use ear protection at concerts, gigs and with power tools, take quiet breaks, and step back from the speakers. If your ears ring or sound is muffled after a loud event, that is a warning sign to give them a rest.
| Sound | Approximate level |
|---|---|
| Whisper, rustling leaves | 20–30 dB |
| Normal conversation | 60 dB |
| Busy street traffic | 70–80 dB |
| Noisy restaurant, heavy traffic | 85 dB |
| Lawnmower, hairdryer | 90 dB |
| Motorcycle, nightclub | 100 dB |
| Rock concert, chainsaw | 110 dB |
| Siren, jet aircraft nearby | 120 dB |
| Level | Rough safe listening time |
|---|---|
| 85 dB | about 8 hours |
| 88 dB | about 4 hours |
| 91 dB | about 2 hours |
| 94 dB | about 1 hour |
| 97 dB | about 30 minutes |
| 100 dB | about 15 minutes |
More on hearing
How online hearing tests work
What a frequency-sweep or word-in-noise check does, and why headphones and volume make it only a screen.
Tinnitus
What that ringing or buzzing is, why a pitch-matching tool exists, and when to get it checked.
Source: Occupational-noise references (NIOSH and WHO guidance). Figures are approximate; this is not a diagnosis — see an audiologist. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
How loud is too loud?
As a rule of thumb, if you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone an arm's length away, the background noise is loud enough to be worth protecting against over time. Prolonged exposure above about 85 dB carries risk.
Are earbuds bad for my hearing?
They are fine at moderate volume. The risk is high volume for long stretches. A common guide is to keep the volume around 60% and take breaks; many phones now track your listening level and warn you.
Protect your hearing for the long run
TempoLife helps you track the daily habits that shape your health over time.