HEARING LOSS AND LIVING IN TODAY'S WORLD
Roberta Singer
The noise of modern life causes permanent hearing damage to many U.S. adults who don't even suspect they've experienced a loss. A leaf blower operates at 90 decibels, and can cause hearing damage after two hours of exposure. A live sporting event generates 100 decibels of noise, and damages hearing after 14 minutes of exposure. A rock concert generates 110 decibels, damaging hearing within two minutes. A siren produces 120 decibels of noise, damaging hearing within one minute. About 53 percent of adults with noise-induced hearing damage reported no exposure to loud sounds while on the job, according to the study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2/7/17).