Decibels (dB) measure how loud a sound is. The scale is logarithmic: every 10 dB increase sounds roughly twice as loud, and every 3 dB increase doubles the sound energy reaching your ears. That’s why a few extra decibels matter so much for hearing.
Quick answer
Sounds below about 70 dB are generally considered safe for long listening. From 85 dB, exposure time starts to matter. The US workplace guideline (NIOSH) sets 8 hours at 85 dB, and halves the safe time for every 3 dB above that.
Common sounds in decibels (approximate)
| Level | Example |
|---|---|
| 30 dB | Whisper, quiet bedroom |
| 40 dB | Quiet library |
| 60 dB | Normal conversation |
| 70 dB | Vacuum cleaner, busy office |
| 80 dB | City traffic, alarm clock |
| 85 dB | Heavy traffic, food blender |
| 95 dB | Motorbike, subway train |
| 100 dB | Headphones at max on many phones |
| 110 dB | Concert, nightclub |
| 120 dB | Siren close by, thunderclap |
Safe listening time (NIOSH guideline)
| Level | Maximum daily time |
|---|---|
| 85 dB | 8 hours |
| 88 dB | 4 hours |
| 91 dB | 2 hours |
| 94 dB | 1 hour |
| 97 dB | 30 minutes |
| 100 dB | 15 minutes |
These are workplace limits for adults. Children and anyone who already has hearing loss should stay lower.
How to measure noise yourself
Open our Sound Meter and allow microphone access. Readings from phone and laptop mics are estimates, usually within about 5 dB, so use them as a guide rather than a certified measurement. Comparisons on the same device, such as before and after cleaning a speaker, are much more reliable.
Tips to protect your hearing
- Keep headphones at or below about 60% volume for long sessions.
- Turn on your phone’s headphone safety or volume limit feature.
- Use noise-cancelling headphones so you don’t turn up the volume to beat background noise.
- Wear earplugs at concerts and loud events.
- Give your ears quiet breaks after loud exposure.
Use dB to check your speaker
A muffled phone speaker can be several decibels quieter than normal. Measure it with the Sound Meter, run the Water Eject or Dust Cleaner, and measure again. A gain of 3 dB or more is a clear improvement.
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