JR24
Member
Serious Injury Range (115 dB to 140 dB)
dB Rating Sound Exposure (hours per day)
120 Rock concert (front row)
125 Cymbal crash; loudest human scream
130 Jet engine taking off; air raid siren
135 Firecracker
140 Shotgun blast directly beside ear
Deadly Range (140 dB to 200 dB)
Forget hearing damage — these sounds will give you permanent everything damage. Below about 170 dB, ear protection can still save you, but store-bought earplugs and earmuffs won’t be enough. You’re also likely to start having other problems with whatever is creating the noise (here’s a hint: don’t stand next to a pound of TNT).
Deadly Range (140 dB to 200 dB)
dB Rating Sound Exposure (hours per day)
150 Formula One car at full throttle Ø
160 Inside jet engine Ø
170 7,000-HP engine Ø
180 1 pound of TNT detonating 15 feet away Ø
190 Grenade blast epicenter Ø
200 Causes immediate death Ø
Had the “opportunity” to be near a runway (well, hiding behind our vehicle on the tarmac) when passenger jets took off without ear pro. Fun stuff when the jet wash (or whatever) rocked our vehicle rather alarmingly.
Don’t recommend that much.