There are countless different sounds in our environment, ranging from leaves blowing in the wind to airplanes flying overhead, to loud music at a concert. The range of sounds that humans can hear is known as the audible range. This range depends on both the pitch (measured in Hertz, or Hz) and the loudness (measured in Decibels, or dB) of the sound.

The typical range of human hearing spans from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This range can be affected by various factors such as age, occupation, and gender. As we get older, our ability to hear higher frequencies diminishes—often dropping to around 12,000 Hz. In terms of loudness, humans can generally perceive sounds starting from 0 dB. Prolonged exposure to sounds exceeding 85 dB can be harmful to hearing.

Frequencies

Most everyday noises we hear range from 2,000 Hz to 5,000 Hz. For example, bird songs tend to range between 1,000 Hz and 8,000 Hz, whereas human conversation can range from 2,000 Hz to 4,000 Hz. Any sounds below 20 Hz are called infrasounds, and similarly, any sounds above 20,000 Hz are called ultrasounds. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause degeneration in the ear.

Example Decibel Scale:

• Almost total silence: 0 dB

• A whisper: 15 dB

• A normal conversation: 60 dB

• A noisy restaurant: 90 dB

• A crying baby: 110 dB

• A bursting balloon: 157 dB

Age-Related Hearing Loss

On average, a healthy young person can hear frequencies from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, but as you age, the upper part of the frequency range starts to decrease. A person in their 20s will usually be able to hear up to 17,000 Hz, and this decreases to around 12,000 Hz once they reach their 50s. These frequency changes are a natural part of the aging process and are nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, further deterioration due to external factors can be problematic.

Loudness

When it comes to dangers to hearing, any sound above 85 dB is considered unsafe. For example, if you were to attend a rock concert, you could potentially be exposed to sound levels of 120 dB, whereas general conversation sound levels are around 60 dB. The louder the noise, the shorter the time required to harm your hearing. Sounds like emergency alarms, motorcycles, balloons popping, or even a sporting event can cause lasting damage in as little as one minute to half an hour.

Listening Time

The safe listening time for anything above 85 dB is cut in half for every 3 dB increase. For example, if you’re listening to music at 85 dB, the safe listening time is 8 hours. This time gets halved to 4 hours if the music increases to 88 dB and then halved again if it increases to 91 dB.

How to Protect Your Hearing

• Turn down the volume: It is recommended to keep the volume on your device below 60%. If you are using a device to measure loudness, aim for anything below 80 dB.

• Noise-cancelling headphones: These will reduce the need to turn up the volume on your device.

• Earplugs: If you are in a noisy place, such as a concert or a loud workplace, earplugs will offer protection.

• Stay away from loud noises: If possible, try to stay away from loudspeakers or machinery.

• Pay attention to symptoms of hearing loss: It is very important to heed any warning signs of hearing loss, such as a ringing noise (tinnitus), difficulty hearing high-pitched noises, or difficulty following conversations.

Protecting our ears and preserving our hearing is key to maintaining the best auditory experience throughout life. If you or a family member would like to book a consultation, give us a call at (021) 234 1239 or book online.