Experts consider the exposure to more than 85dB dangerous, but it is readily evident that many of our usual habits exceed this level. Indicatively:
150dB Fireworks. Maximum pain threshold. Risk of damage within just 7 seconds
140dB Jet engine during take-off. Risk of hearing damage within just 15 seconds
137dB Audiences in open-air (stadium arena) concert. Risk of hearing damage within just 30 seconds
120dB Rock Concert. Risk of hearing damage within 4 minutes
115dB Baby cry, jet-ski engine. Risk of hearing damage within 8 minutes
110dB Mp3 Player. Risk of hearing damage within 15 minutes
105dB Metro/subway platform. Risk of hearing damage within 30 minutes
95dB Motorcycle engine. Risk of hearing damage within 2 hours
90dB Truck/lorry engine. Risk of hearing damage within 4 hours
85dB Starting Point for the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety regulation. Risk of hearing damage within 8 hours
70dB Heavy road traffic, vacuum cleaner
60dB Interpersonal conversation, dishwasher
40dB Quiet room
For this reason, it is necessary to use specially manufactured, filter-fitted earplugs such as Pluggerz, which are available in children sizes in order to offer perfect fitting even for narrow auditory canals.
Another major cause of hearing loss is damage caused by foreign objects such as the use of a cotton swab, as the cerumen may get pushed inadvertently onto the eardrum, either damaging the tympanic membrane itself or increasing the production thereof, which can lead to a conductive hearing loss.