NOISE POLLUTION ~ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long can someone be in a loud noise before it's hazardous?
How can I tell if a noisy situation is too loud?
How often should my hearing be tested?
Don't we lose our hearing as we age?
Who can help with noise in my community?
How loud does noise have to be before it's dangerous?
Does the law protect me against noise?
Is there evidence that noise can make us sick?
What is the role of local government in regulating noise?
What are the decibel levels for everyday noises?
How long can someone be in a loud noise before it's hazardous?
The better question is why would someone want to be in a loud noise environment. Our society is always looking for more, thinking this is better. This leads to excess and waste. If you feel uncomfortable in a noisy environment, than it is too loud. The longer we are in a noisy environment the greater the risk of hearing damage. Frequency, time and volume all factor into the amount of hearing loss we suffer.
How can I tell if a noisy situation is too loud?
If you feel uncomfortable in a noisy environment, then it is too loud. You should be able to carry on a conversation without raising your voice. If you can’t then it is too loud. Also if you get ringing in your ears after being in an area, (commonly called Tinnitus) then it was too loud and you may be damaging your hearing.
How often should my hearing be tested?
If you work in an area where hearing protection is required, the law requires hearing test every year. If you notice that your hearing is changing then you should get your hearing tested. Otherwise consult your physician.
Don't we lose our hearing as we age?
Hearing loss is not usually associated with age. Although it is true that hearing loss may happen with age, it is usually a factor of a bad noise environment. When our ears are subjected to noise that is too loud, we damage our ability to hear clearly. Unfortunately, we do not take the ability to hear clearly as being an important factor in our quality of life. Only after we begin to lose our hearing do we realize how important hearing is to our quality of life.
Who can help with noise in my community?
Memtech Acoustical has trained acoustical consultants who are eager to assist with noise issues. They have a passion for maintaining healthy hearing and assuring that your quality of life is not diminished by hearing loss.
Noise pollution is a sound that is damaging to structures, or is a distraction or irritating. Noise pollution can be dangerous or just annoying. Interrupting sleep and normal daily activities.
How loud does noise have to be before it's dangerous?
The EPA sets a standard of 70dBA as a safe level for 24 hour exposure. OHSA has set 85dB as the threshold for NIHL(noise induced hearing loss). When we are exposed to 85 decibel for 8 hours or greater decibel levels for shorter times, we are exposed to damaging noise levels. Decibel levels above 106dB’s can cause hearing damage in less than a minute or possibly instantaneous. This is like a gun shot or lightning.
Does the law protect me against noise?
Yes and No. There are very few laws that address the allowable noise level. There are some communities that have noise ordinances. Even these are more likely to issue warnings than correcting the problem. If the noise is too loud the Police will typically put a low priority on these troubles and only issue warnings.
Is there evidence that noise can make us sick?
Yes, there are studies that found noise increases blood pressure levels and noise increases stress levels. Noise also contributes to fatigue.
What is the role of local government in regulating noise?
Local governments have the right and the obligation to write noise ordinances to protect its citizens.
Noise or sound is measured in decibels (dB or dBA). The “A” filter (dBA) is the one most frequently used because it best matches the range of normal human hearing. An instrument called a sound-level meter is used to measure the decibel level. It is designed to measure in approximately the same way as the human ear and gives an objective assessment of sound-pressure level.
It is too loud if you can not carry on a conversation at arms lengths without raising your voice. It is too loud if your ears ring or you are uncomfortable with noise level.
What are the decibel levels for everyday noises?
12-gauge shoot gun
165dB
Airport plane take-off 120dB
Rock concert 105dB
Music on Earphone at standard volume 5 100dB
Lawn Mower 100dB
Blender 90dB
Idling Construction Equipment 85dB
Garbage Disposal 80dB
Traffic noise 70-80dB
Vacuum 70dB
Office 60-65dB
Library 35dB
Breathing 10dB