If you're exposed to 85 dB on an 8-hour time-weighted average at work, your employer has to get you a baseline audiogram, have a hearing conservation program, get you an annual hearing test, and make hearing protection available to you. At a 90 dB 8-hour TWA, your employer must require you to wear hearing protection. But that's just to be legal.
So the magic number to avoid hearing damage is really 85 dB for any extended period. You should avoid 110 dB to avoid serious damage. At 140 dB, you WILL do serious mechanical damage to the inner ear.
This concludes your NIOSH-sponsored PSA for the day.
So the magic number to avoid hearing damage is really 85 dB for any extended period. You should avoid 110 dB to avoid serious damage. At 140 dB, you WILL do serious mechanical damage to the inner ear.
This concludes your NIOSH-sponsored PSA for the day.