Listen: sounds near 127 dB
How loud is 127 dB?
127 decibels is painful. 127 dB sounds about 104.0 times as loud as normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 5.01e+06 times the sound energy. Typical sounds around this level: screaming piha, emergency siren, thunder (close).
Decibels are logarithmic: every +10 dB means ten times more sound intensity but is heard as only about twice as loud, and every +6 dB doubles the sound pressure. That is why a few decibels can make a big difference.
Is 127 dB dangerous?
Yes, with enough exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than 2 seconds per day at 127 dBA (US law, via OSHA, allows 2.8 minutes). Hearing damage from noise is cumulative and permanent, so use earplugs or earmuffs, increase distance or reduce exposure time.
Sounds around 127 dB
One of the loudest birds measured, at 1 m.120 dBEmergency siren
CDC lists sirens at 110–129 dB.120 dBThunder (close)
A strike within a few hundred metres.120 dBVuvuzela
At 1 m from the horn.125 dBWhite bellbird
The loudest bird song ever measured: 125.4 dB at 1 m.130 dBThreshold of pain
Sound starts to hurt; damage can be instant.
Safe listening time
| Level | NIOSH recommended limit | OSHA legal limit (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 121 dBA | 7 seconds | 6.5 minutes |
| 124 dBA | 4 seconds | 4.3 minutes |
| 127 dBA | 2 seconds | 2.8 minutes |
| 130 dBA | less than a second | 1.9 minutes |
| 133 dBA | less than a second | 1.2 minutes |
NIOSH: 85 dBA for 8 hours with a 3 dB exchange rate; OSHA: 90 dBA for 8 hours with a 5 dB exchange rate. General information, not medical advice – see a hearing professional about ringing ears, muffled hearing or pain.
Frequently asked questions
Is 127 dB loud?
127 dB is painful. For comparison: screaming piha, emergency siren, thunder (close).
How many times louder is 127 dB than 117 dB?
A 10 dB increase means ten times the sound intensity and is heard as roughly twice as loud.
How long can you listen to 127 dB?
NIOSH recommends a maximum of 2 seconds per day at 127 dBA.