How loud is too loud?

amp;149; 30 dB: Quiet whisper

amp;149; 40 dB: Refrigerator hum

amp;149; 50 dB: Rainfall

amp;149; 60 dB: Sewing machine

amp;149; 70 dB: Washing machine

amp;149; 80 dB: Alarm clock two feet away

amp;149; 85 dB: Average traffic

amp;149; 95 dB: MRI

amp;149; 100 dB: Blow dryer,subway train

amp;149; 105 dB: Power mower,chain saw

amp;149; 110 dB: Screaming child

amp;149; 120 dB: Rock concert,thunderclap

amp;149; 130 dB: Jackhammer,jet plane 100 feet away

Exposure to once-only or continuous noise can cause hearing loss. If hearing recovers,this loss is called temporary threshold shift,which typically disappears after 16 to 48 hours. Hearing loss can be permanent if loud sounds damage the cells in the inner ear called cilia. Once damaged,these cells cannot be repaired.