Have you ever wondered if your power tools are damaging your hearing? Well, if you aren’t using hearing protection regularly, then you are right to be concerned.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss is a common condition experienced by woodworkers, construction workers and seasoned DIYers. Think about it, there is a reason that Home Depot has such an extensive hearing aid battery selection.
Noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative, meaning that every exposure adds to previous hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, and people who have noise-induced hearing loss will likely require assistance to help them hear as they age.
If this all sounds a bit scary, I do have some good news. Prevention is effective, easy and can be implemented immediately. I have partnered with Wise Little Ears, a site dedicated to childhood hearing health, to bring you a DIYers version of their How Loud is Too Loud for How Long chart. If you have little DIYers in your midst, I strongly recommend checking out their site!
How Sound from Power Tools is Measured
So how do you know if your tools are too noisy? Sound is measured by decibels (dBs); the higher the number, the noisier it is. The commonly recognized “safe level” is at or below 85 dBs. The length of time you are exposed to noise also matters. Let’s look at a few common power tools to understand how loud they actually are and why you need hearing protection while using them.
Table Saw: 120 dB
This is really loud and can damage your hearing in about 9 seconds. What? THIS IS REALLY LOUD AND CAN DAMAGE YOUR HEARING IN 9 SECONDS. You absolutely need hearing protection when you use a table saw. And even with hearing protection, you need to take frequent breaks. Even the best hearing protection does not block out all the sound entering the ear, so breaks give your ears a chance to reset. Another strategy is to double up with ear plugs and hearing protection (earmuffs) over the top.
Impact Driver: 105 dB
This is loud and can damage your hearing in about 4 minutes. You may think you will only be using your impact driver for a couple of minutes, but why risk it? Hearing protection is always recommended when using an impact driver.
Shop Vac: 90 dB
There is a huge range in the sound produced by shop vacs. I measured the output from the Rigid shop vac in my basement. At close range, my phone app detected 90 dBs. This output is hearing safe for about 2.5 hours without hearing protection. But remember that this is all cumulative, so if you are using other tools with your shop vac, you should absolutely wear hearing protection.
Orbital Sander: 100 dB
At 100 dBs, your ears become susceptible to noise-indued hearing loss in about 15 minutes. I don’t know anything that takes less than 15 minutes to sand, so hearing protection is a must, along with eye protection and a face mask.
Why Should You Care About Noise-Induced Hearing Loss From Power Tools?
Noise-induced hearing loss is serious and can contribute to early onset dementia and social isolation as we age. Although hearing aids have improved over the years, they can’t replace your natural hearing and can be very expensive. Noise-induced hearing loss is totally preventable, so take care of yourself and make sure to invest in a quality pair of hearing protection for your next project!
The ear protection images below link to Amazon products. If you purchase a product using these links, I get a very small cut at no cost to you. Thanks!
Great information! I always knew it was smart to wear safety gear but this really shows why and how power tool noise can damage your hearing.