We don't all have access to a Sound Level Meter when we're out and about. So can we easily know when it's time to pop in our faithful hearing protection?Just ask yourself...
- Ask yourself how close you need to be to a person in order for you to hear them and them to hear you.
- What type of voice are you using to hold that conversation? Are you shouting? Is it just in a normal voice?
- Now use the lookup table below to estimate the approximate noise level.
| I need to speak in... | I'm 4 feet away from the person... | I'm 2 feet away... | They are close to my ear... |
| ...a normal voice? | Then sound is less than 81 decibels | – | – |
| ...a raised voice? | Then sound is around 87 decibels | – | – |
| ...a very loud voice? | Then sound is around 93 decibels | – | – |
| ...a shout? | Then sound is around 99 decibels | 105 decibels | – |
| "Arggh! It's Impossible" | Sound is over 110 decibels!! |
Colour Key:
GREEN = No need for hearing protection
AMBER = Consider hearing protection
RED = Use hearing protection and/or limit your time in the noise.
BLACK = Use hearing protection. Try to avoid the situation.
Here's an example:
Say you're standing 4 feet away from them and having to shout to be heard. The noise level will be approximately 99 decibels.
Now using the table for Safe Listening Times we can calculate the safe listening time as being between 15 and 30 minutes. So you need to be using hearing protection.