Which sounds can cause hearing loss?

Hearing loss can occur when you hear a single intense sound (exploding a firecracker) or hearing loss can occur gradually if you are regularly exposed to noise. We have prepared for you a list of sounds that can cause hearing loss if listened to regularly. You face some dangerous sounds every day and you don't even realize it.

• Washing machine, dishwasher (approx. 70 dB) - can cause you a feeling of irritation.
• City traffic (approx. 80 dB) - long-term listening can make you feel irritated and can cause tinnitus.
• Noisy restaurants and bars (approx. 85 dB) – can cause hearing damage after only 2 hours.
• Lawnmower (approx. 85 dB) – can cause hearing damage after only 2 hours.
• Some children's toys (approx. 85 dB) – can cause hearing damage after only 2 hours.
• Motorcycle (approx. 95 dB) – can cause hearing damage after 5 minutes.
• A train is approaching, honking at a distance of 5 meters (approx. 100 dB) - Hearing damage can occur after only 15 minutes.
• Sports events (approx. 100 dB) - hearing damage can occur after only 15 minutes.
• Hours of group exercise (approx. 100 dB) – hearing damage can occur after just 15 minutes.
• Watching a movie in the cinema (approx. 100 dB) – hearing damage can occur after just 15 minutes.
• Very loud radio or television; and loud nightclubs or concerts (approx. 105 dB) – hearing damage can occur after just 5 minutes.
• Loud music through headphones (approx. 105 dB) – hearing damage can occur after just 5 minutes.
• Screaming or barking of a dog in the ear (approx. 110 dB) - hearing damage threatens after only 2 minutes.
• If you stand close to the siren (approx. 120 dB) – it can cause painful ear injury, hearing loss is possible after less than a minute.
• Firecrackers, fireworks, weapons (approx. 140 dB) – can cause painful ear injury, hearing loss is possible after less than a minute.

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). A whisper is about 30 dB, a normal conversation about 60 dB, and a motorcycle engine running about 95 dB. Noise above 70 dB for a long time can damage hearing. Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate hearing loss.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends keeping ambient noise below 70 dB for 24 hours (75 dB for 8 hours) to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.