Dangerous Noise Levels

In general, noise levels below 85 dBA (decibels) are considered safe, while anything above 85 dBA may cause hearing loss. According to the Center for Hearing and Communication, the volume (dBA) and the length of exposure to the sound will tell you how harmful the noise is. The louder the noise, the less time required before hearing loss will occur.

For reference, 0 decibels is the softest sound a person can hear with normal hearing, while 10 dBA is regular breathing. Rainfall is 50 decibels, while a normal conversation is 60. Beyond the level of safety, at 110, would include something like shouting in someone's ear, or thunder, at 120 decibels. Want to know more? See the following chart for an inclusive list.

 

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Work

Recreation
  • 50 refrigerator
  • 50 – 60 electric toothbrush
  • 50 – 75 washing machine
  • 50 – 75 air conditioner
  • 50 – 80 electric shaver
  • 55 coffee percolator
  • 55 – 70 dishwasher
  • 60 sewing machine
  • 60 – 85 vacuum cleaner
  • 60 – 95 hair dryer
  • 65 – 80 alarm clock
  • 70 TV audio
  • 70 – 80 coffee grinder
  • 70 – 95 garbage disposal
  • 75 – 85 flush toilet
  • 80 pop-up toaster
  • 80 doorbell
  • 80 ringing telephone
  • 80 whistling kettle
  • 80 – 90 food mixer or processor
  • 80 – 90 blender
  • 80 – 95 garbage disposal
  • 110 baby crying
  • 110 squeaky toy held close to the ear
  • 135 noisy squeeze toys
  • 40 quiet office, library
  • 50 large office
  • 65 – 95 power lawn mower
  • 80 manual machine, tools
  • 85 handsaw
  • 90 tractor
  • 90 – 115 subway
  • 95 electric drill
  • 100 factory machinery
  • 100 woodworking class
  • 105 snow blower
  • 110 power saw
  • 110 leafblower
  • 120 chain saw, hammer on nail
  • 120 pneumatic drills, heavy machine
  • 120 jet plane (at ramp)
  • 120 ambulance siren
  • 125 chain saw
  • 130 jackhammer, power drill
  • 130 air raid
  • 130 percussion section at symphony
  • 140 airplane taking off
  • 150 jet engine taking off
  • 150 artillery fire at 500 feet
  • 180 rocket launching from pad
  • 40 quiet residential area
  • 70 freeway traffic
  • 85 heavy traffic, noisy restaurant
  • 90 truck, shouted conversation
  • 95 – 110 motorcycle
  • 100 snowmobile
  • 100 school dance, boom box
  • 110 disco
  • 110 busy video arcade
  • 110 symphony concert
  • 110 car horn
  • 110 -120 rock concert
  • 112 personal cassette player on high
  • 117 football game (stadium)
  • 120 band concert
  • 125 auto stereo (factory installed)
  • 130 stock car races
  • 143 bicycle horn
  • 150 firecracker
  • 156 capgun
  • 157 balloon pop
  • 162 fireworks (at 3 feet)
  • 163 rifle
  • 166 handgun
  • 170 shotgun