Some common levels of sound and their effect on hearing are listed in the following table:
| Sound |
Decibel Level |
Effect on Hearing |
| Lowest audible sound |
Just above 0 |
None |
| Rustling leaves |
20 |
None |
| Quiet library or quiet office |
30–40 |
None |
| Normal conversation; |
50–60 |
None |
| refrigerator; light traffic |
|
|
| at a distance |
|
|
| Busy traffic, vacuum cleaner; |
70 |
None |
| noisy restaurant |
|
|
| Heavy city traffic; subway; |
80–90 |
Some damage if |
| shop tools; power lawn mower |
|
continuous for 8 hours |
| Chain saw |
100 |
Some damage if continuous for 2 hours |
| Rock concert |
110–120 |
Definite risk of permanent hearing loss |
| Gunshot |
140 |
Immediate danger of hearing loss |
| Jet engine |
150 |
Immediate danger of hearing loss |
| Rocket launching pad |
160 |
Hearing loss inevitable |
