Listen: sounds near 128 dB
How loud is 128 dB?
128 decibels is painful. 128 dB sounds about 111.4 times as loud as normal conversation (60 dB), and it carries 6.31e+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 128 dB dangerous?
Yes, with enough exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than 1 seconds per day at 128 dBA (US law, via OSHA, allows 2.5 minutes). Hearing damage from noise is cumulative and permanent, so use earplugs or earmuffs, increase distance or reduce exposure time.
Sounds around 128 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.140 dB.22 caliber rifle
Peak level at the shooter's ear.140 dBJet engine at takeoff
At about 30 m (100 ft).
Safe listening time
| Level | NIOSH recommended limit | OSHA legal limit (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 122 dBA | 6 seconds | 5.7 minutes |
| 125 dBA | 3 seconds | 3.8 minutes |
| 128 dBA | 1 seconds | 2.5 minutes |
| 131 dBA | less than a second | 1.6 minutes |
| 134 dBA | less than a second | 1.1 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 128 dB loud?
128 dB is painful. For comparison: screaming piha, emergency siren, thunder (close).
How many times louder is 128 dB than 118 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 128 dB?
NIOSH recommends a maximum of 1 seconds per day at 128 dBA.