Wednesday, June 5, 2002

Some important facts about the sounds you live by

Sounds may damage your hearing if you have to shout over background noise to make yourself heard; if the noise hurts your ears; if it makes your ears ring; or if you are slightly deaf for several hours after exposure to the noise.

Intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The longer you are exposed to a loud noise the more damaging it may be. The closer you are to the source of intense noise, the more damaging it is.

Cotton balls or tissue paper wads stuffed into the ears are very poor protectors; they reduce noise only by approximately 7 dB. Properly fitted earplugs or muffs reduce noise 15 to 30 dB.

Simultaneous use of earplugs and muffs usually adds 10 to 15 dB more protection than either used alone. Both earplugs and earmuffs should be worn together when noise exceeds 105 dB.

Andrew Waits

Clinical audiologist

Approximate Decibels (dB)

20 Ticking watch

30 Quiet whisper, dripping faucet

40 Refrigerator hum

50 Rainfall (moderate)

65 Washing machine

70 Vacuum cleaner

80 Alarm clock at 2 feet

85 Average traffic

90 Power lawn mower

105 Chain saw

110 Screaming child, chain saw

120 Thunderclap, rock concert

130 Jackhammer, jet plane

140 Firecracker

85 dB and above is considered hazardous; earplugs are recommended.

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