Noise above 85-90 dBA causes permanent hearing damage

Evidence

How much noise exposure is acceptable? There is some evidence that the levels of noise generated by our normal noisy Western society have some long-term effects, because measurements on the hearing of other cultures show a much lower threshold of hearing at a given age compared with that of Westerners. However, this may be due to other factors as well, for example the level of pollution. But strong evidence exists demonstrating that exposure to noises with amplitudes of greater than 90 dBA can cause permanent hearing damage. This fact is recognized, for example, by UK legislation, which requires that the noise exposure of workers be less than this limit, known as the “second action limit.” This level has been reduced since April 2006 under European legislation to 85 dBA. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 678

Categorization

• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 678
• XREF: connects to: Chronic 85 dB daily exposure causes hearing loss, while 130 dB risks acute injury; Raising volume to overcome noise leads to discomfort and hearing damage; Repeated loud exposures convert temporary hearing loss into permanent damage — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1876 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Excessive noise causes widespread hearing damage and tinnitus in the US population #expands (0.95) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 357
• Tinnitus after exposure signals damage even below the 85 dB threshold #qualifies (0.90) — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 684
• Noise-induced hearing loss first appears near 4 kHz as an audiometric notch #expands (0.85)
• A temporary threshold shift signals elevated risk of permanent hearing loss #expands (0.85)