When it comes to protecting our hearing, we often hear about "decibels," but what does this unit of sound measurement really mean? Much like a Richter scale measures the strength of earthquakes, decibels (dB) measure the volume of sound. In this article, we will explore how sound at different decibel levels can affect our health and what we can do to keep our ears safe.
Sounds up to 70 dB are generally considered safe for our ears, equivalent to the volume of casual conversation. However, sounds above this level can, over time, damage our hearing. The decibel scale is logarithmic, which means that each increase of 10 dB represents a sound ten times more intense and perceived as twice the volume.
If you need to shout to talk to someone at arm's length or can hear someone else's headphone music, the sound is probably above 85 dB. This level is the maximum considered safe for an eight-hour workday, but it's important to remember that we are not only exposed to loud noises at work but also in our daily routines.
Children's auditory systems are still developing, and the safe limits for them are even lower. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend an average not exceeding 70 dB for younger individuals.
- Keep the volume of personal devices between 50 to 60% of the maximum.
- Use phone settings to limit the volume of Bluetooth headphones.
- At events with amplified music, follow the WHO recommendations for safe listening.
- Take regular silent breaks to "rest" your ears.
Today, both iPhones and Androids support apps that measure decibels. On the iPhone, the Health app comes built-in with this functionality, including alerts for when the sound is excessively loud. Here are some apps for measuring sound levels:
- NIOSH Sound Level Meter App (iOS)
- NoiSee (iOS)
- SLPnFFT Noise Meter (iOS)
- X Sound Meter (iOS)
- Sound Meter (Android)
- SoundPrint (iOS and Android)
Common sense is the best rule: if a sound seems too loud, it probably is. By being mindful of the daily "sound dose" we receive, we can take steps to protect our hearing. This includes using earplugs, reducing volume whenever possible, and giving our ears the periods of silence they deserve for lasting auditory health.
