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      Listen Up! Protect Your Hearing (infographic)


Listen Up! Protect Your Hearing.

            To protect your hearing, use earplugs — and try to avoid loud noises.

        Noise (sound) is all around us — at school, at home, and all the places in between. It’s everywhere we go.

        But being around too much loud noise, like at concerts or fireworks shows, can make you lose your hearing — and **once it’s gone, you can’t get it back.**

    Did you know?

                5 in 10 young people (like you) listen to their music or other audio too loudly

                4 in 10 young people (like you) are around dangerously loud noises during events like concerts and sports games

                48 million people in the U.S. have trouble hearing with one (or both) of their ears

        **The good news:** You can protect your hearing — and still do all the stuff you love!

    Check out this noise meter to see how loud different sounds are — and how you can protect your ears when you’re around them.

        Loudness is measured in what’s called decibels (dB). Over time, any sound that’s 85 decibels or higher can cause hearing loss — or other hearing problems, like tinnitus (a ringing sound in your ears that won’t go away). The louder a sound is, and the longer you listen to it, the more it can damage your hearing.

        **Pick a type of sound to see about how loud it is**, and get tips to keep your ears safe around noises at that level. You can stop hearing loss!

        0 decibels
                    Whispering
                    Refrigerator
                    Dishwasher
                    Conversation
                    Lawnmower
                    Movie Theater
                    Motorcycle
                    Sports Events
                    Headphones
                    Rock Concert
                    Sirens
                    FireworksSounds on

            020406080100120140160180

                    

                    0 dB

                Choose a sound

                    0 dB

                    Pick a type of sound from the list to see about how loud it is.Whispering

                    30 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of whispering.Your secret is safe! This is totally fine for your ears.The sound of your fridge humming

                    40 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of a refrigerator in operation.Snack on! This is totally fine for your ears.The sound of your dishwasher running

                    45 to 65 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of a dishwasher in operation.This level of noise is safe for your ears. Go ahead and scrub the pots and pans while the dishwasher does its job!Your normal talking voice at arm’s length

                    65 to 80 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of a normal talking voice.Chat away! But if you have to yell so people who are nearby can hear you, watch out — the noise around you is probably too loud.Lawn mower

                    80 to 100 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of a lawnmower in operation.This level of noise can make you lose some of your hearing, so be sure to wear hearing protection. Store a pair of earmuffs near the mower, so it’s easy to remember to put them on!A movie theater

                    70 to 104 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of sounds in a movie theater.Seeing a movie on the big screen is fun, but it’s also loud — often, loud enough to make you lose some of your hearing.

                    To protect your ears, try to sit farther away from the speakers, and put in a pair of earplugs. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy!Motorcycles

                    80 to 110 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of a motorcycle in operation.You can lose some of your hearing after an hour on a motorcycle, so put in some earplugs (and put on a helmet!) before you ride.Sports events (like a football or hockey game)

                    94 to 110 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of the sounds during a sports event.You can lose some of your hearing in less than half an hour at a sports game, so be sure to pack some earplugs!Listening to music with your headphones at the highest volume

                    96 to 110 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of music playing through headphones.You can lose some of your hearing in just a few minutes when you’re using headphones at the highest volume.

                    To protect your hearing, turn it down to a lower volume. The music will still sound great!Rock concerts, parties, or nightclubs

                    95 to 115 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of the sounds during a rock concert.You can lose some of your hearing after a few minutes at this noise level — so bring earplugs (the band is wearing them, too!).

                    And move away from the speakers — it’s even louder if you’re near them.Sirens from a fire truck, police car, or ambulance

                    110 to 129 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of a siren.You can lose some of your hearing in less than a minute if you’re near a police car, fire truck, or ambulance siren.

                    When you see one coming, get away from the noise if you can (for example, by rolling up your car windows). If you’re outdoors, you can also plug your ears with your fingers until the sirens are gone.Firecrackers and fireworks

                    140 to 160 dB

                    Embedded audio file with an example of fireworks.Fireworks are a summer favorite, but they can seriously hurt your hearing. If a firecracker explodes near your ear, you could even lose **all** of your hearing.

                    To protect your ears, wear earplugs and make sure you’re a safe distance away from where the fireworks are being set off. Then enjoy the show!

    Healthy Ear Fibers

                Damaged Ear Fibers

                Inside your ear, there are lots of tiny fibers that help you hear. Over time, loud noise can damage these fibers — and **once they’re damaged, they can’t ever be fixed.**

                    That’s why it’s so important to start protecting your ears now, while you’re young.

        Most people don’t feel any warning signs (like pain or ringing in your ears) until their hearing is already damaged. And **if you think your ears can just get used to the noise, think again.**  If loud noises don’t bother you as much as they used to, that means you’ve already lost some of your hearing.

            So **how can you tell when a noise is hurting your hearing?** If there’s so much noise around you that you need to talk extra loud when your friends are only a few feet away, it’s probably hurting your hearing. Time to bring out the earplugs — or go somewhere quieter!

        Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start protecting your hearing now!

    Want to see how loud the sounds around you are? Look for a free sound level meter app for your smartphone!

            Ready to learn more? Check out these links:

            Find out how your ears work
                What did you say? What loud noises can do to your hearing
                Choose the type of hearing protection that’s right for you
                Learn how to use foam earplugs
                Test your noise knowledgeCDC cannot answer personal medical questions. Please talk to your health care professional about specific questions concerning appropriate care, treatment, or other medical advice. The range of decibel levels reported in this infographic are derived from the Noise NavigatorTM Sound Level Database — temporary and permanent hearing loss depends upon how close you are to an activity and how long you are exposed to the noise levels. Exposures above 85 dB can be hazardous to your hearing.
            Centers for Disease Control and Prention - National Center for Environmental Health



[text version]



Infographic courtesy of the CDC National Center for Environmental Health
      
Last Updated Date:
      July 27, 2017
              News
    
      Too loud and too bright! - NIH MedlinePlus Magazine (03/28/2024)
          A potential new way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss: Trapping excess zinc - NIH Director’s Blog (02/22/2024)
          Pitt researchers discovered a way to prevent hearing loss caused by loud noiseUniversity of Pittsburgh (02/12/2024)

    

  
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