At what noise level in decibels can severe hearing loss occur?

Severe hearing loss can begin to occur at noise levels of approximately 120 decibels and can worsen significantly as the decibel level increases. At around 130 decibels, exposure can lead to permanent damage to hearing, especially with prolonged exposure. Moving up to 140 decibels marks a threshold where the risk of severe hearing loss becomes even more pronounced due to the intensity of the sound. Levels above this, particularly at 150 decibels, are considered extremely loud and can cause immediate and irreparable harm to hearing.

The physiological effects of these high decibel levels occur because sounds that reach these intensities can create damaging vibrations in the inner ear structures responsible for hearing. Therefore, the decibel level at which severe hearing loss is likely to occur is closely associated with the exposure duration and the intensity of sound, making the chosen level a critical reference point in understanding hearing protection measures.