Volume, Decibels and Hearing: Key Insights for Your Safety

When we talk about sound, two concepts usually arise: volume and decibels. Understanding these ideas can help us better protect our hearing. This blog will describe why sound measurement is important, how it connects to hearing protection and the practical steps we can take to minimise the risks to our hearing health.

Volume vs Decibels

Volume refers to the perceived loudness or intensity of a sound. It is a measure of how strong or powerful a sound wave is, and it is typically measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel level, the louder the sound.

The decibel scale is special because it is logarithmic. This means that each 10 dB increase represents an increase of ten times in the intensity/loudness of the sound. For example, if you have a sound that measures 30 dB, then a sound that measures 40 dB is not just 10 dB higher; It is ten times more intense! This can be quite surprising, as our ears may not realise each volume increase as a great leap, but the real sound energy is dramatically different.

In our daily lives, we find a wide range of sounds, from the gentle rustle of leaves in a breeze up to about 20 dB, to the overwhelming jet roar that can reach the levels of over 130 dB. To make this more tangible, consider how you interact with sounds every day. A normal conversation level is around 60 dB, which is comfortable for our ears. However, if you are in a busy restaurant or at a show, the volume can easily increase to 100 dB or more. At this level, prolonged exposure can begin to damage our hearing.

Why Does It Matter?

To illustrate the importance of understanding sound levels, let's consider a construction site. Heavy machine noise can reach up to 110 dB or more. Working at this level without proper hearing protection can lead to severe hearing loss over time. In these noisy environments, the use of noise reduction earplugs or earphones is crucial.

On the other hand, there are quieter environments that also deserve our attention. For example, listening to music at a high volume through headphones can reach around 90 dB. Many people enjoy loud music, but if done for long periods of time, it can be harmful to our hearing health. Disease Control and Prevention Centers (CDC) recommend maintaining lower volume levels, especially when using earphones, to protect against hearing damage.

Navigating our noisy world effectively requires awareness of these decibel levels. It is not just about avoiding high noises but knowing that even moderate sounds can accumulate and cause damage if we are exposed to them for a long time. Understanding decibels and their implications helps us take the right measures to protect our hearing.

Decibel Levels in Our Everyday Lives

Being aware of the sounds around us and their decibel levels, we can better protect our hearing and enjoy a lifetime of sound without the concern of damage. Remember, the ears are essential to enjoy music, conversations, nature, etc., so it's important to take care. Daily sounds surrounding us can greatly affect our hearing health. It is important to recognise how loud these sounds can be and how they can damage our ears over time. Let's take a look at some common sources of loud noise in our daily lives.

Urban environments can be quite noisy.

Residents of busy cities are usually exposed to constant sounds of traffic, construction and public transportation systems. City traffic can be an average of 85 to 90 dB, with sudden horns or sirens reaching even higher levels. This constant exposure can be particularly harmful as it does not give our ears time to recover. Many people may not even notice the noise until it becomes overwhelming and starts affecting their daily lives.

Consider the experience of participating in a concert.

Music usually hits levels between 100 and 120 decibels. This is ten times higher than a typical conversation! If you spend only 15 minutes at this level of sound without hearing protection, you can risk permanent auditory damage. Many concert goers enjoy the experience but often forget that their ears need protection. Using earplugs designed specifically for music can help reduce sound intensity without ruining the pleasure of performance.

Simple activities such as listening to music through headphones can also reach dangerous levels if we turn up the volume. A good empirical rule is the 60/60 rule: listen to 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

Noise Levels in the Workplace

In workplaces such as factories heavy machines are often used that can reach 90 dB levels or more. Workers on construction sites, for example, are regularly exposed to excavators, diggers and other tools that produce significant noise. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB is a serious concern. In fact, occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) recommends that workers in these environments use hearing protection to prevent work-related hearing loss.

OSHA has established guidelines to protect workers from the harmful effects of noise exposure. Here are the key points as quoted by OSHA :

1. Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL): OSHA sets legal limits on noise exposure in the workplace. The permissible exposure limit is 90 decibels (dBA) for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). If the noise level increases by 5 dBA, the exposure time must be cut in half.
2. Hearing Conservation Program: Employers must implement a hearing conservation program when noise exposure is at or above 85 dBA over an 8-hour TWA. This program includes monitoring noise levels, providing hearing protection, conducting hearing tests, and training employees on the risks of noise exposure.
3. Noise Controls: When noise levels exceed the PEL, employers must use feasible administrative or engineering controls to reduce noise levels. If these controls are not sufficient, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as earplugs or earmuffs must be provided to employees.
4. Exposure Monitoring: Employers are required to monitor noise exposure levels to identify employees who are exposed to noise at or above the action level of 85 dBA.
5. Audiometric Testing: Employers must provide audiometric testing to employees exposed to noise at or above the action level. This helps in detecting early signs of hearing loss and taking necessary actions to prevent further damage.
6. Employee Training and Education: Employees must be trained on the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages and disadvantages of various types of hearing protectors, and the proper use and care of hearing protectors.

It is important to choose hearing protection based on how much sound they reduce. Hearing protection devices are classified based on their noise reduction classification (NRR). This classification informs how many decibels the device can reduce sound levels. For example, if you use earplugs/headphones with a NRR of 25 dB and are in an environment with 95 dB, the hearing protection may decrease it to about 70 dB, making the sound much safer for your ears.

What is the Consequence of Loud Noise Exposure?

Noise-induced Hearing Loss:

One of the main possible results of exposure to loud noises is the loss of hearing or Noise-induced hearing loss (NiHL). This type of hearing loss may develop gradually from repeated exposure to noise over time, such as working on a construction site without hearing protection or it may occur following a one-off exposure to a very loud and sudden sound, such as an explosion. Once the hearing is lost, it usually does not recover. That's why it is so important to take protective measures from the beginning.

Tinnitus:

Another condition connected to exposure to noise is tinnitus. People with tinnitus often experience a ringing, buzzing or hissing sound in the ears, in the absence of external sounds. This can be incredibly frustrating and can make it difficult to concentrate or sleep well at night. Some individuals describe tinnitus as a constant distraction in their life, making them feel irritable and anxious.

Such testimonies show that exposure to untreated noise not only affects hearing, but physical and emotional health too; It can alter the way we live and interact. People with hearing loss often feel isolated and frustrated, influencing their relationships and general happiness.

Understanding the long-term consequences of exposure to noise is vital for everyone. The use of protection for the ears in noisy contexts, to be aware of the levels of volume and to give priority to hearing health can play an enormous role in ensuring that we do not face difficulties deriving from the loss of hearing later in life. If you think you are at risk, it is important to speak with a health worker specialised in hearing.

How Can I Protect My Hearing from Loud Noise?

Understanding the risks associated with loud sounds is the first step in protecting our hearing health. By recognising the dangers of high levels of decibels, you can take steps to protect yourself in your daily life.

• First, keep an eye on the sound level. Use apps for smartphones or sound level measures to monitor and control the volume and decibel levels surrounding you. If the sound is greater than 85 dB, it is intelligent to think of protecting your ears with earplugs or headphones for the cancellation or reduction of the noise to help reduce the sound.
• In the workplace, it is essential that hearing protection is supported and prioritised. Employers should provide equipment and training on safe noise levels. If you work in a noisy environment, request earplugs, headphones or other protective equipment and make your colleagues aware of the importance of these measures. Together, you can help create a safer workspace.
• When you are at home, you can also promote hearing health. Consider the use of more peaceful devices or, if you need to use loud tools or appliances, wear earphones or earplugs.
• When you enjoy music, opt for lower volumes and take breaks to rest your ears.
• Educating children on the risks of loud sound exposure and the benefits of the use of hearing protection. Make learning fun by playing games that imply the identification of different sound levels. This will help them understand the importance of the volume and how it affects their hearing.

When it comes to protecting your hearing, understanding the different types of hearing protection is critical. There are several options available, but the most common are earplugs and headphones with noise cancellation or filters. Each serves the purpose of reducing high level sounds in our environment, but they do so in different ways.

Earplugs:

Earplugs are small devices that you insert into your ears. They work to form a seal that blocks the sound entering the ear canal. There are different materials used for ears, such as foam, silicone or wax.

Earplugs are popular because they are soft and expand to adjust to the shape of the ear, providing a comfortable fit. According to Casali's research (2021), foam earplugs can reduce noise levels by 15 to 30 decibels, which is a significant decrease that can protect your hearing in noisy environments.

Filtered Earplugs:

A typical rock concert, for example, can reach levels more than 120 dB, where only a few minutes of exposure can harm our hearing. The use of earplugs in such situations not only protects your ears but also helps prevent conditions such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Noise protection earplugs come with several filter options for application for different users. Music enthusiasts often choose plugs that reduce noise sounds without losing sound quality. These earplugs have special filters to let the music in and keep the harmful noise out, thereby protecting audition while allowing wearers to enjoy concerts (Chan, 2024). On the other hand, motorcyclists need earplugs that block the wind and noise of the engine. Some plugs for cyclists are designed to reduce harmful frequencies and at the same time allow essential sounds, such as horns or sirens to be heard. This feature makes them suitable for safe driving (Chan, 2024). Therefore, choosing filtered earplugs for the right use is important. Your hearing care professional will be able to provide you advice on your best option.

Noise Cancellation Headphones:

On the other hand, noise cancellation headphones are designed to actively reduce sound. These headphones have microphones that capture external sounds and create sound waves that are the exact opposite (antiphase) of the unwanted noise. This technology cancels the input noise, making it more silent to the listener. Noise cancellation headphones are especially useful if you are in environments where sound can be high and unpredictable, such as on a plane or a busy coffee shop.

In everyday life, we interact with sound constantly - be it traffic noise, high music or even machines at work. Understanding how these different types of hearing protection work help us make informed choices to maintain our hearing safely. Protecting our ears with earplugs or noise cancellation headphones is a simple but powerful step to maintain good hearing health, especially in a world that usually does not take a break from noise. Many people may not think about exposure to noise and its effects on hearing health until it is too late.

Conclusion

In everyday life, small changes can lead to great differences in the protection of our hearing. Start by checking the typical noise levels and making adjustments where necessary. Consider the integration of protective tools when necessary and encourage those around you to do the same. Being alert on the exposure to sound, we can significantly reduce the risk of future hearing problems.

References:

Casali, J. G. (2021). Sound and noise: Measurement and design guidance. Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 457-493.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Occupational noise exposure. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.95

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Occupational noise exposure. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.osha.gov/noise

Chan, C. (2024). Mapping the Cyclist Ear: Examining My Relationship Between Sound and Space (Doctoral dissertation, Concordia University).