How to Use This Calculator
To use this noise pollution calculator, enter the noise level in deceibels (dB) and it will automatically calculate the maximum amount of time for safe exposure. You should never expose yourself more than this displayed time to protect yourself from hearing loss.
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Noise-Levels of Some Common Everyday Activities (in Decibels)
If you’re unsure of the noise levels, you can refer to the below chart to find the activity you’re most exposed to.
Bonus Reading
As you can see from the above data, there are tons of household appliances that contribute to noise pollution. While your lawnmower or vacuum cleaner might not seem harmful just yet, it can be dangerous if you’re exposed to it for longer durations.
Here’s a short little backstory:
I spent the last couple of weekends talking to my neighbor who runs a small vacuum sales and repair shop in Houston, TX.
The Result?
After 21+ hours of exhaustive research, I wrote the most thorough guide to help you make an informed decision on choosing the quietest shop vacuum. I cover the quietest wet-dry vac, small shop vac, cordless, and much more from all sorts of brands—Ryobi, Ridgid, Fein, Festool, Makita, and a few more. There’s also a handy table that compares noise levels (in decibels) of various shop vacs.
Give it a read if you care about protecting your and your loved ones’ hearing in the household 🙂