Sound levels at 70 dBA or less are generally considered safe. Listening to sound above that level, especially for long periods of time, can put you at risk of developing tinnitus or noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing protection is available for industrial noise, hunting and musicians.

Noise-induced hearing loss is a type of permanent sensorineural hearing loss that occurs from noise exposure. It can happen very quickly at extremely high levels of noise (e.g. a gunshot or an explosion) or more gradually with steady long-term noise (e.g. using loud machinery at work). Tinnitus (a “ringing” or “buzzing” sound in the ear) is often associated with noise exposure. Using hearing protection consistently can greatly lower your risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss.

Hearing protection at work is mandatory when noise levels are at or above 85 dBA over an 8 hour shift. Hearing conservation programs at workplaces can mitigate the effects of noise on employees. This can be done by making workplace modifications to reduce noise levels, modifying lengths of exposure for workers, educating employees about the risks of noise exposure, and providing comfortable and adequate noise protection for employees. Hearing should also be monitored to ensure that the hearing conservation program is effective.