What Happens to Your Hearing When Something Is Too Loud?
Have you ever heard something so loud you instinctively covered your ears?
Maybe it was a fire truck going by with its horn or siren blaring, or a loud scene in a movie theater, or even a power tool being used nearby. While loud sounds can be exciting or fun, they can also be harmful to your hearing, especially if you're close to it or hear loud sounds often.
What Is “Too Loud”?
Sound is measured in something called decibels (dB). The higher the decibel, the louder the sound.
Whisper: 30 dB
Normal talking: 60 dB
Busy street: 80–85 dB
Lawnmower: 90 dB
Motorcycle: 95-100 dB
Chainsaw, leaf blower, snowmobile: 100-115 dB
Live sporting event, rock concert: 115-130
Fireworks, jet engines: 130–140 dB
If a sound is above 85 decibels, it can start to damage your hearing. The longer you are exposed to it, the more likely it is to cause damage. Also, the louder the sound, the less time it takes to cause hearing damage.
What Can Loud Sounds Do to My Hearing?
Inside your ears are tiny hair cells that help you hear. When sound waves enter your ear, those hair cells wiggle and send signals to your brain. If the sound is too loud, the hair cells can get bent or broken, and they don’t grow back.
That’s how hearing loss can happen. You might not notice it right away, but over time, things might start to sound muffled, or you may have trouble understanding people, especially when there’s background noise.
Signs You’ve Heard Something Too Loud
Your ears start ringing (this is called tinnitus)
Sounds seem muffled, like it’s “underwater,” or far away after the noise
You feel pressure or pain in your ears
If this happens, it’s your ears way of saying, “Help! That was too loud!”
How to Protect Your Hearing
You can protect your hearing with a few simple steps:
Wear noise reducing earplugs or earmuffs at concerts, races, fireworks, or when using power tools or doing lawn maintenance.
Turn down the volume on your headphones. (A good rule of thumb: If someone else can hear it, it’s too loud!)
Take sound breaks; your ears need rest, too.
Move away from the source of loud noise, even a few feet makes a difference.
Don’t Take Hearing for Granted
Your ears help you hear your favorite songs, your best friend’s laugh, and all the sounds that make life exciting. By being smart about noise, you can make sure your hearing health stays healthy for years to come.
Have more questions or concerns about your hearing health? The Audiology team at HEAR Wisconsin is here to help. Give us a call 414-604-7219 to schedule your hearing evaluation today.