Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: How Loud Is Too Loud?

Hearing loss can take a toll on your quality of life, from work performance to pastimes to personal relationships.¹ And noise is a significant contributor to this chronic condition² — about 40 million U.S. adults suffer from noise-induced hearing loss.³

Read on to discover more about noise-induced hearing loss, including a hearing loss decibels chart and safety tips to prevent this condition.

What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?⁴

As you can guess from its name, noise-induced hearing loss refers to the loss of hearing caused by exposure to loud noises. It usually happens when you're exposed to loud noises over a long period of time, but it can also occur after a single loud noise like a gunshot or explosion.

How Does Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Happen?⁵

Loud noise — either prolonged exposure or an intense sudden burst — can damage the sensitive hair cells inside your ear. When damaged, those hair cells can't transmit impulses to the auditory nerve and brain, so you don't hear as well.

Three Risk Factors for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss⁵

Wondering whether you're at risk for noise-induced hearing loss? Consider these three factors:

1. Loudness of noise (decibels). Noise is recorded in decibels — the higher the number, the louder the noise.
2. Proximity of noise (distance). The closer you get to the source of the noise, the louder it sounds.
3. Length of exposure to noise (time). Your safe listening time is cut in half for every three-decibel rise in noise level over 85 decibels.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Decibels Chart

Check out this hearing decibels chart to see sounds on a continuum from the safest to the most unsafe:

As you can see, any noise above 70 decibels over a prolonged period can damage your hearing, and noise above 120 decibels can cause immediate harm.²

Early Signs of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss⁴

Hearing loss is rarely painful, so you may not even notice it's happening. Early signs of noise-induced hearing loss include:

• Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds like birds singing
• Trouble understanding what people are saying when there's a lot of background noise

Additional Symptoms of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss⁴

Other symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss include:

• Feelings of pressure or fullness in your ears
• Speech that sounds muffled or far away
• Ringing in your ears that you notice in quiet places

How Long Does Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Last?⁴

Symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss may last days, hours, or just a few minutes. Though symptoms can disappear, some of the cells in the inner ear may have been destroyed by the noise. If you have enough healthy cells left, your hearing can return to normal. But with continued noise exposure, more cells are destroyed, and hearing loss may become permanent.

Treatments for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss⁴

While there is no cure for permanent hearing loss, there are a few treatments that can help you manage the condition:

• Avoiding noise exposure. This can prevent your hearing loss from getting worse.
• Hearing aid. You can wear this device on your ear to magnify sound.
• Cochlear implant. If you have profound hearing loss, this electronic hearing device can be surgically implanted in your inner ear to provide sound signals to your brain.

Tips to Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Since hearing loss is irreversible, it's best to prevent it before it happens.⁶ Use these safety tips to protect your hearing:²

• Avoid loud noise whenever possible. If you must shout to be heard, the noise is too loud.⁵
• Limit exposure when you can't avoid loud noise. Plug your ears with your fingers when you hear sounds like sirens, for example.⁵
• Keep your distance from the source. It's a good idea to move away from the source of the noise in loud environments.⁶
• Wear hearing protection. Earplugs and earmuffs can each reduce noise by 15 to 30 decibels, depending on how they fit and how they're made.⁵
• Take a break from all noise. Aim for at least 10 hours of quiet after intense noise exposure, like at a loud workplace or nightclub.⁶
• Lower the volume. Set personal listening devices like headphones and earbuds to no more than half their potential volume.⁵
• Buy quieter products. Look for noise ratings on products like appliances, power tools, children's toys and hair dryers when you shop.⁵
• Get regular hearing tests.⁶ It's especially important to see a hearing specialist if you're regularly exposed to loud noise at work or in social settings.⁴

If you start to feel pressure in your ear, your hearing feels dull or you have a persistent sound like ringing in your ear, visit a hearing specialist as soon as possible.⁶ By being proactive about hearing loss, you can stop its progression⁴ and reduce the risk of further damage.¹

CareCredit Financing for Ear Care

The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings and more.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Robyn Tellefsen is a freelance writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, finance, and more. Her work has appeared on sites such as LoopNet, Beachside Rehab, First Horizon Bank, SoFi, A Place for Mom, American Express, Chase and more.