How long does it take befroe you mayhave permanent hearing damage for sounds at 100 dB? What about sounds at 120 dB?

To determine how long it takes to potentially have permanent hearing damage at a certain decibel level, we can refer to the concept of the "safe exposure time" or "permissible exposure limit" (PEL) for different sound levels.

For sounds at 100 decibels (dB), the safe exposure time before potential hearing damage occurs can be estimated using the "3 dB rule." According to this rule, for every 3 dB increase in sound level, the safe exposure time is halved. So, if 100 dB is the threshold for potential hearing damage, we can calculate the safe exposure time.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines suggest that the permissible exposure limit for continuous exposure to 100 dB is around 15 minutes. However, it's important to note that this is a general guideline and individual susceptibility to hearing damage can vary.

Now, for sounds at 120 dB, using the same 3 dB rule, we can estimate the safe exposure time. Starting from the baseline of 15 minutes at 100 dB, we would halve the time for each 3 dB increase. Therefore, for 120 dB, the safe exposure time would be significantly less than 15 minutes.

It's important to exercise caution and protect your hearing by using appropriate hearing protection devices, such as earplugs or earmuffs, in noisy environments. Keep in mind that prolonged exposure to high decibel levels can lead to permanent hearing damage.