What decibel level is dangerous for hearing?
Hearing damage risk starts at 85 dB(A) averaged over 8 hours, per NIOSH. Every 3 dB louder halves the safe time: 88 dB is safe for 4 hours, 100 dB for 15 minutes. At 120 dB and above — sirens, fireworks at close range — damage can be immediate.
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The 85 dB rule and the 3 dB trade
NIOSH — the US occupational health research agency — sets its recommended exposure limit at 85 dB(A) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The scale is logarithmic, so safe time halves every 3 dB:
| Level | Safe exposure (NIOSH) | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| 85 dB | 8 hours | city traffic, lawn mower |
| 88 dB | 4 hours | busy kitchen at rush |
| 94 dB | 1 hour | riding a loud subway |
| 100 dB | 15 minutes | car horn at 5 m, club dance floor edge |
| 110 dB | under 2 minutes | chainsaw, front rows of a concert |
| 120 dB+ | none — immediate risk | siren up close, fireworks |
OSHA’s legal workplace limit is higher (90 dB with a 5-dB exchange rate), but NIOSH’s 85 dB recommendation is the health-protective number — and the one hearing researchers use.
It’s the dose, not just the volume
Noise damage works like sunburn: intensity × time. One loud concert and a full workweek at 85 dB can deliver a comparable dose. That’s why the WHO recommends tracking a weekly sound allowance — roughly 80 dB(A) for 40 hours — and why Apple’s Health app warns you about weekly headphone exposure rather than single spikes. See how loud is too loud for headphones.
What to do at each level
Below 70 dB: no risk at any duration, per the EPA’s long-standing guidance. 70–85 dB: fine for normal daily life. 85–100 dB: limit time or wear earplugs. Above 100 dB: protection on, or leave.
Check where you are right now
Run the free online decibel meter for an estimate, or see the full chart of common sounds with sourced levels for 30+ situations.