Hearing Information

Ministry of Sound, UK - Video about tinnitus

Campaign by Ministry of Sound to get clubbers to Practice Safe Decks

Information from the experts - The National Foundation of the Deaf Inc.

Will the MP3 generation face a hearing loss epidemic? Read the report

New research released by the NFD in August 2007 warns that New Zealand music lovers could be facing a deaf future. Seven out of ten under 30 year olds are experiencing symptoms of permanent hearing damage after listening to loud music – yet do nothing to prevent it. These symptoms include dullness of hearing and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) - both early signs of irreversible hearing damage.

Test your hearing

Take this hearing test to find out if you need a professional hearing evaluation - thanks to the National Foundation of the Deaf Inc.

Tinnitus

Do you hear a 'ringing' in your ears after being exposed to loud noise? Read this.

10 Golden Rules to Prevent Hearing Loss

The most important points to know about preventing hearing loss.

Hearing Loss Causes

The most common causes of hearing loss.

Hearing Loss - what is it?

The most common types of hearing loss.

Noise Damage

What is noise damage and how can it cause hearing loss?

Noise in the Work Place

Noise control programmes can make your work place safer.

How Sound Travels

A graphic of sound travelling from the ear to the brain.

Other useful information

The following are decibel levels of common noise sources around us. These are typical levels, however, actual noise levels may vary depending on the particular item. Remember noise levels above 85 dBA will harm hearing over time. Noise levels above 140dBA can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure

Recreation:

40 quiet residential area
70 motorway traffic
85 heavy traffic, noisy restaurant
90 truck, shouted conversation
95-100 motorcycle
100 snowmobile
100 school dance, boom box
110 disco
110 busy video arcade
110 symphony concert
110 car horn
110-120 rock concert
112 personal cassette player on high
117 football game (stadium)
120 band concert
125 auto stereo (factory installed)
130 stock car races
143 bicycle horn
150 firecracker
156 capgun
157 balloon pop
162 fireworks (at 3 feet)
163 rifle
166 handgun
170 shotgun

Work:

40 quiet office, library
50 large office
65-95 power lawn mower
80 manual machine, tools
85 handsaw
90 tractor
90-115 subway
95 electric drill
100 factory machinery
100 woodworking class
105 snow blower
110 power saw
110 leafblower
120 chain saw, hammer on nail
120 pneumatic drills, heavy machine
120 jet plane (at ramp)
120 ambulance siren
125 chain saw
130 jackhammer, power drill
130 air raid
130 percussion section at symphony
140 airplane taking off
150 jet engine taking off
150 artillery fire at 500 feet
180 rocket launching from pad

Publications from Government agencies

Publications about noise from Department of Labour New Zealand

Publications about noise

A broad range of articles about preventing hearing damage in the work place .

Information about Noise-induced Hearing Loss

Information about Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Exposure to excessive noise is one of the main causes of hearing loss, and many New Zealanders work in noisy environments. This link has lots of strategies on how to reduce NIHL.