Which of these common farm sounds is the loudest?
A. Chain saw
B. Tractor with an open cab
C. Tractor with a closed cab
D. Squealing pigs
The correct answer is A: Chain saw.
To find out how noisy a farm can be (hint: pigs are louder than chickens), take a look at our How Loud Is Too Loud on the Farm? bookmark.
How long does it take for concert speakers, at 110 decibels, to harm your hearing?
A. An hour
B. 30 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 1 minute
The correct answer is D: 1 minute.
The sound from concert speakers can reach 110 decibels or higher. If you regularly hang around speakers for more than 1 minute, use hearing protectors such as earplugs or earmuffs. (Earmuffs look like wireless headphones.)
You can find out more about safe and unsafe sounds by trying our sound advice scale. Learn when and how to use hearing protectors.
Source: Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers
Hospitals can be surprisingly noisy. The noise can even make it hard to sleep at night. What kind of noise seems to bother patients the most?
A. The voices of hospital workers or guests
B. The sound from nearby televisions
C. Doors opening and closing
D. Electronic noises, such as beeping monitors and alarms
The correct answer is D: Electronic noises, such as beeping monitors and alarms.
On our Noisy Planet website you can read an article about a Maryland hospital that installed a special noise-level monitor that uses a traffic light design to let you know when it's too loud in the hallway.
Source: Scientific American
Some public safety experts say that hybrid cars are so _________ that they might be dangerous to pedestrians who are blind or distracted.
A. Fast
B. Quiet
C. Popular
D. Fun to drive
The correct answer is B: Quiet.
Safety experts worry that these cars are too quiet, especially when they’re moving slowly, which could make them dangerous to pedestrians, including children and people who are blind or distracted.
Read more about quiet hybrid cars in our Have You Heard article.
Noise levels of 85 decibels or higher for a long period of time can harm your hearing. About how loud is an MP3 player at its highest volume?
A. 30 decibels
B. 60 decibels
C. 85 decibels
D. 105 decibels
The correct answer is D: 105 decibels.
This volume can damage your hearing. Keep the volume of your MP3 player in the midrange. Then you can enjoy your music and protect your hearing at the same time.
You can read more about decibels on our website Also, try our sound advice scale to learn the sound levels of things you hear in your everyday life.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
How loud is an ambulance siren? (Hint: A school cafeteria is about 85 decibels and a jet taking off is about 140 decibels.)
A. 150 decibels
B. 120 decibels
C. 80 decibels
D. 40 decibels
The correct answer is B: 120 decibels.
This means that ambulance sirens can cause hearing damage, and very quickly!
To find the decibel levels of other common sounds, check out our sound advice scale. You can also measure sound levels on your own by using a decibel meter or a decibel app on a smart phone.
Which of the following can you use to protect your hearing?
A. Foam earplugs
B. Canal caps
C. Earmuffs
D. All of the above
The correct answer is D: All of the above.
For more information, read Put a Plug in the Noise: How to Use Earplugs on our website.
How can you decide if noise is loud enough to hurt your hearing?
A. You have to shout to be heard
B. The noise hurts your ears
C. You develop a buzzing or ringing sound in your ears
D. Any of the above
The correct answer is D: Any of the above.
Our sound advice scale will show you how loud common sounds are.
Source: Dangerous Decibels
True or False: The noise from some toys can reach levels loud enough to damage your hearing.
A. True
B. False
The correct answer is A: True.
Some toys can be as loud as 120 decibels, especially if held right next to your ear. Noise at this level can damage your hearing.
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Fireworks are an important part of 4th of July celebrations. How loud can the explosion of fireworks be?
B. 80 decibels
C. 110 decibels
D. 150 decibels
The correct answer is D: 150 decibels.
At that sound level, fireworks can cause permanent hearing damage, so make sure to wear hearing protectors and enjoy fireworks displays safely!
Remember, sounds at or above 85 decibels can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. For more information on sound levels, see our sound advice scale.
Our infographic will teach you how to use foam earplugs to protect your hearing.
True or False: School cafeterias can be loud enough to potentially damage your hearing.
The volume in school cafeterias can reach or exceed 85 decibels. Prolonged exposure to any noise at or above 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss. You can read more about preteens and noise-induced hearing loss on our website.
True or False: You can preset the volume on music or gaming devices to a safe sound level.
Many music and gaming devices have volume limiting controls. Set a safe maximum listening volume for yourself and your kids.
Our shareable image on controlling the volume of music devices can be freely used on social media and blogs.
Learn how sounds make their way from the source to your brain.
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