Noise Level Reference
Decibel Scale
0 dB40 dB80 dB120+ dB
| dB | Source | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10 | Near silence, breathing | Safe |
| 20–30 | Whisper, library | Safe |
| 40–50 | Quiet office, rainfall | Safe |
| 60–70 | Normal conversation, TV | Safe (prolonged OK) |
| 75–85 | Vacuum cleaner, busy traffic | Safe up to 8h/day |
| 85–90 | Lawn mower, motorcycle | Hearing damage >8h without protection |
| 90–100 | Factory machinery, subway | Hearing damage >2h without protection |
| 100–110 | Chainsaw, concert (near speakers) | Hearing damage >15 min |
| 110–120 | Thunderclap, rock concert | Immediate risk without protection |
| 120–140 | Jet engine, gunshot | Pain threshold, instant hearing damage |
WHO Noise Guidelines
| Setting | Recommended Limit |
|---|---|
| Bedroom (sleeping) | <30 dB Leq |
| Living areas (daytime) | <35 dB Leq |
| Outdoor (residential) | <55 dB Lday |
| Workplace (8h) | <85 dBA TWA |
| Recreation / headphones | <80 dBA over 40 hrs/week |
Hearing Protection Options
| Type | NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Foam earplugs | 29–33 dB | Sleep, concerts, factories |
| Reusable earplugs | 22–27 dB | Work, occasional noise |
| Earmuffs | 22–31 dB | Construction, shooting |
| Double protection | ~36 dB | Extremely loud environments (100+ dB) |