Protecting your hearing at concerts, work and home

Sounds at or below 70 dBA are unlikely to harm your hearing, even after long exposure. Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss ^[4]. The damage depends on both loudness and time, and safe time shrinks fast as volume rises: WHO says you can listen at 80 dB for up to 40 hours a week, but only 4 hours a week at 90 dB ^[1].

The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss that is completely preventable ^[4]. It is also common. NIDCD estimates at least 10 million US adults under 70, and perhaps as many as 40 million, show hearing-test signs of noise damage ^[4]. Three habits do most of the work: turn it down, move away from the source, and wear hearing protection that actually fits ^[1][4][7].

How loud is too loud?

Typical sound levels, from NIDCD ^[4]:

Sound	Typical level (dBA)
Normal conversation	60 to 70
Movie theater	74 to 104
Motorcycles and dirt bikes	80 to 110
Headphones at maximum volume, sporting events, concerts	94 to 110
Sirens	110 to 129
Fireworks show	140 to 160

And how long WHO says you can safely listen each week at each level ^[1]:

Sound level	Safe listening time per week
80 dB	40 hours
85 dB	12 hours 30 minutes
90 dB	4 hours
100 dB	20 minutes

Two things make small numbers matter. Decibels aren't linear: a sound 10 dB louder is ten times more intense ^[5]. And NIOSH halves the recommended exposure time for every 3 dB increase ^[6].

No meter? Use the arm's-length test. If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone an arm's length away, it's too loud ^[1].

At concerts, games and loud events

WHO's advice for loud venues ^[1]:

• Wear earplugs, inserted correctly. They can significantly cut the sound reaching your ears.
• Stay away from loudspeakers. Sound intensity drops as you move away from the source.
• Rest your ears. Spend 10 minutes somewhere quiet after every hour.

In 2022, WHO released a standard for venues and events: a maximum average sound level of 100 decibels, live monitoring of sound levels, quiet zones where people can rest their ears, and hearing protection made available to audiences ^[2]. You can ask staff whether earplugs or a quiet area are available.

Worked example. Say a three-hour concert averages 100 dB. WHO's weekly allowance at that level is 20 minutes ^[1], so three hours is nine times the limit. Now say well-fitted earplugs cut what reaches your ears by 15 dB, to about 85 dB. The same three hours now fits within WHO's 12.5-hour weekly allowance at 85 dB ^[1]. Real-world protection depends on fit and varies from person to person ^[7], which is why the fit check below matters.

Ringing or muffled hearing after a show is a signal, not a souvenir. WHO lists persistent ringing or buzzing as a warning sign of hearing damage ^[1]. If ringing lingers, see our guide to tinnitus treatments with real evidence.

At work

About 27 million US workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job each year ^[5]. Two federal agencies set different numbers:

	OSHA (legal limit)	NIOSH (recommended limit)
8-hour average limit	90 dBA [6]	85 dBA [6]
Exchange rate	Allowed time halves for every 5 dBA increase [6]	Recommended time halves for every 3 dBA increase [6]
Time allowed at 100 dBA	2 hours [6]	Less than 15 minutes [6]
Hearing conservation	Program required at an 8-hour average of 85 dBA or more [6]	Yearly hearing test for exposed workers [5]

OSHA notes that updated research shows significant noise-induced hearing loss occurs at exposure levels equal to its own legal limit ^[6]. That's why the stricter NIOSH number is the safer target.

What you can do:

1. Ask for noise monitoring results for your job.
2. Get a hearing test every year if you're exposed to hazardous noise or ototoxic chemicals, as NIOSH advises ^[5].
3. Ask about fit testing. In January 2025, NIOSH recommended that employers use individual, quantitative fit testing to measure how much protection each worker actually gets ^[8].
4. Prefer quieter equipment and processes where possible. OSHA calls hearing protectors an acceptable but less desirable option than engineering and administrative controls ^[6].

Earplugs and earmuffs: what the NRR really tells you

The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) on the package comes from lab testing and often doesn't reflect the protection a given person actually gets ^[7]. Protection is often lost because the device was poorly chosen, worn incorrectly or used inconsistently ^[7]. NIOSH used to recommend discounting the label to estimate real protection ^[7]; in 2025 it replaced that advice with a recommendation for individual fit testing ^[8].

The main types, as NIOSH describes them ^[7]:

Type	How it fits
Formable earplugs (such as foam)	Expand to fit the contour of your ear canal
Pre-formed earplugs	Already shaped to fit most ears
Custom earplugs	Made from an impression of your ear
Earmuffs	Completely surround the outer ear

Check your fit in 10 seconds. Count out loud while cupping and uncupping your hands over your ears. With a good fit, your voice should sound about the same either way ^[7].

Don't overdo it. NIOSH suggests aiming for just enough reduction to bring your exposure down to 75 to 85 dBA. Too much can leave you less aware of your surroundings ^[7].

Double up for the loudest jobs. NIOSH advises earmuffs over earplugs at 100 dBA or more ^[7].

Headphones and earbuds

WHO's advice for personal listening devices ^[1]:

• Keep the volume at no more than 60% of maximum.
• Use well-fitted, noise-cancelling headphones so you don't crank the volume to drown out a bus or plane.
• Limit listening time and take regular breaks.
• Use free sound-monitoring apps, and choose devices with built-in safe-listening features.

This matters across generations. Headphones at maximum volume can reach 94 to 110 dBA ^[4], and WHO estimates more than 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss from unsafe listening ^[3].

At home and in the yard

• Wear earplugs or earmuffs during loud activities ^[4], such as running power tools or riding a motorcycle. NIDCD puts motorcycles at 80 to 110 dBA ^[4].
• Move away from noise you can't reduce or block ^[4].
• Keep your distance from fireworks, which can reach 140 to 160 dBA ^[4]. WHO notes that even a one-time exposure to extremely loud sound can damage inner-ear cells ^[1].
• Protect young children's ears, too ^[4].
• Keep a pair of earmuffs where you store the mower or leaf blower, so protection is as easy to grab as the tool.

Warning signs and when to get tested

WHO lists three warning signs of hearing damage ^[1]:

• Persistent ringing or buzzing in your ears
• Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds, such as birdsong or a doorbell
• Difficulty following conversations, especially in noise or on the phone

If you notice any of these, get your hearing checked. WHO recommends annual checks for people who work in noisy settings or listen heavily on headphones ^[1]. Our guide to noise-induced hearing loss covers the condition in depth, and our hearing self-check can help you decide whether to book. Our walkthrough of what happens at a hearing test shows what to expect, and you can find an audiologist near you when you're ready.