Safe listening calculator

Pick how loud it is and how long you are exposed. See your daily noise dose under the NIOSH recommendation and the OSHA workplace limit.

Sound level: 94 dBA Time exposed: 60 minutes

NIOSH recommended limit

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OSHA workplace limit

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NIOSH: 85 dBA for 8 hours, 3 dB exchange rate. OSHA: 90 dBA for 8 hours, 5 dB exchange rate. A dose of 100% is the full daily allowance. This is general information, not a hearing test or medical advice.

Why two different answers?

OSHA's limit is the legal floor for US workplaces. NIOSH, the federal research agency, recommends a stricter rule because its data showed hearing loss at levels OSHA allows. For your own ears, the NIOSH number is the safer one to follow.

Not sure how loud something is? The decibel chart lists common sounds.