| The good news is that you don't have to lose | | | | Loud is Too Loud? Use this Decibel Level Chart to |
| your hearing as you age. The bad news is, you | | | | Gauge Noise EffectsNormal breathing, 10 dB - Just |
| will - unless you limit your exposure to high noise | | | | audibleQuiet office, refrigerator, 50 dB - |
| levels. The most preventable cause of hearing | | | | ComfortableVacuum cleaner, hair dryer, inside a |
| loss is the cumulative effect of noise. The | | | | car, 70 dB - Intrusive, |
| following suggestions and decibel (dB) chart will | | | | interferes with telephone conversationAverage |
| help you gauge your exposure to noise and | | | | city traffic, alarm clock, 80 dB - Annoying, |
| reduce your risk of hearing loss:* Wear ear plugs | | | | intrusive, interferes with conversationElectric |
| when operating noisy equipment (i.e. lawn mower, | | | | razor, many industrial work places, 85 dB - Level |
| motorboat or power tools).* Set car, home and | | | | at which hearing damage (8 hours) |
| portable stereos to below half volume. | | | | beginsSubway, motorcycle, lawn mower, 90 dB - |
| Beware of music levels in exercise classes, | | | | Very annoying |
| concerts and bars.* Look for a product | | | | Average portable cd player set above half |
| recommended for quiet operation when shopping | | | | volume, 95 dB - |
| for a fan, air conditioner or other household | | | | Repeated exposure risks permanent hearing |
| appliance.* Don't buy noisy toys. Some toy | | | | lossChain saw, subway train, garbage truck, 100 |
| musical instruments emit dangerous sound levels, | | | | dB - Damage |
| while cap guns and firecrackers, exploding near | | | | after 15 minutes exposureInboard motorboat, |
| the ear, can damage hearing even if you only | | | | power saw, highly amplified rock music, |
| hear them once.* Any noise which makes your | | | | pneumatic drill, 110 dB - Regular exposure of 1 |
| ears ring, a condition called tinnitus, is too loud.* | | | | minute risks |
| Protect your ears if you hunt or shoot guns. | | | | permanent hearing lossThunderclap (nearby), jet |
| Acoustic trauma - immediate, severe and | | | | engine (at take off), very loud |
| persistent hearing loss - is directly linked to | | | | nightclub, 120 dB - Threshold of painShotgun |
| gunfire.* If your workplace is noisy, ensure that | | | | firing, air-raid siren, 130 dB - May cause acoustic |
| ear protectors are provided, and wear them.* | | | | traumaChart Source: Canadian Hearing Society |
| Make sure printers, copiers and other noisy office | | | | FoundationNoise pollution is increasing, with city |
| | | | noise doubling |
| machines aren't grouped together.* Wear ear | | | | every decade. However, by limiting the noise |
| plugs at rock concerts.* Avoid places where you | | | | that you and |
| cannot talk comfortably with another person who | | | | your children are exposed to, you can help |
| is three feet away.* Wear ear protectors for loud | | | | protect yourself, |
| hobbies like snowmobiling or woodworking.How | | | | and them, from future hearing loss. |