Encountering threatening noise levels could lead to experiencing a TTS of 10-40dB that lasts from a few minutes to a few days depending on exposure level and duration. There have been fewer concerns about TTS, however, recently, Kujawa and Liberman have discovered long-term consequences of TTS in mice, caused by exposure to 8-16 kHz band of noise at 100dB for 2 hours. There was an acute loss of the inner hair cell ribbon synapses connected to the degeneration of auditory nerve fibers. Which follows over the course of a lifetime. 


Temporary hearing loss

Threatening noise is sounds range between 90dB(A)-105dB(A), with exposure times of 2 hours or more. Often cause temporary hearing loss.

Example: Concerts, or night clubs

State University of New York at Buffalo

Excessive noise exposure could produce permanent damage to the auditory system. Depending on the noise levels you are exposed to, there could be different long-term outcomes individuals could experience. 
Exposure is typically categorized into three classes:
- Traumatic Noise Levels
- Threatening Noise Levels
- Safe Noise Levels




Exposure on levels of noise causing hearing loss  

Traumatic noise is sounds with intensities over 105 dB(A) for one hour. 
It is well recognized to produce significant levels of permanent hearing loss. 

Example:  firearm noise (>130dB (A) for few seconds)



Traumatic Noise Levels

Threatening Noise Levels

Noise levels below 80 dB(A). It have been considered harmless for the auditory system for any exposure duration. However, recent research shows how these non traumatic noise could cause damage.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After