Hearing Loss Risk Calculator
Assess noise-induced hearing loss risk from daily sound exposure.
Compares against OSHA and NIOSH guidelines — returns safe listening time by dB level.
Hearing Risk Assessment
How Hearing Damage Risk Is Calculated
Hearing damage is cumulative and dose-dependent. The NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and OSHA use a time-intensity trade-off: every 3 dB increase (NIOSH) or 5 dB increase (OSHA) halves the safe exposure time.
NIOSH Permissible Exposure Time Formula:
Safe Duration (hours) = 8 / 2^((dB − 85) / 3)
Where 85 dB is the NIOSH action level for an 8-hour day.
Safe Exposure Reference (NIOSH standard):
| Sound Level (dBA) | Safe Exposure 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 |
| 110 dB | ~2 minutes |
| 120 dB+ | Immediate damage risk |
Worked Example: Concert venue at 105 dB:
- Safe time = 8 / 2^((105−85)/3) = 8 / 2^6.67 = 8 / 101.6 = 4.7 minutes
Real-World Sound Levels:
- Conversation: 60–65 dB
- Heavy traffic: 85 dB
- Lawn mower: 90 dB
- Rock concert: 100–120 dB
- Gunshot: 140–165 dB
Protection Options:
- Foam earplugs: reduce by 25–33 dB (NRR 32 foam plugs)
- Earmuffs: 20–30 dB reduction
- Custom musician plugs: 9–25 dB, flat frequency response (preserves sound quality)