According to multiple sources, exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels (dB) can cause hearing loss, especially if the exposure is prolonged or repeated. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time it takes for hearing loss to occur. For example, sounds at 120 dB can cause pain and ear injury, while any noise over 140 dB, for any length of time, will cause hearing damage and elicit physical pain in your ear. Here are some examples of sounds and their corresponding decibel levels and the amount of exposure time necessary to put your hearing at risk:

• 85 dB: Beginning of OSHA Regulations
• 90 dB: Lawnmower, Truck Traffic
• 95 dB: Motorcycle, Power Saw
• 100 dB: Chain Saw, Stereo Headphone
• 105 dB: Jackhammer, Helicopter
• 110 dB: Snowmobile in Drivers Seat
• 115 dB: Babys Cry, Jet Ski
• 120 dB: Rock Concert, Sandblasting
• 125 dB: Air Raid Siren, Firecracker (pain threshold)
• 140 dB: Gunshot, Jet Engine at Takeoff (immediate danger to hearing)

Its important to note that decibel measurements are exponential, meaning that a sound that registers as 80 dB is twice as loud as a sound that is 70 dB, and a sound that is 100 dB is 16 times as loud as a sound that is 60 dB. Therefore, its crucial to avoid noises that are too loud, too close, or last too long to protect your hearing.