How Loud is 113 Decibels?
113 decibels (dB) is extremely loud and potentially dangerous to hearing. It's comparable to standing near a rock concert speaker, a car horn at very close range, or a jet engine from about 100 meters away. At this level, hearing damage can occur with less than 1 minute of exposure without protection.
Understanding 113 Decibels
To understand how loud 113 decibels really is, it's important to know where it falls on the decibel scale and what it compares to in everyday life.
Decibel Scale: Where 113 dB Fits
113 dB falls well within the "dangerous" range of sound levels that can cause rapid hearing damage
Common Sounds Compared to 113 dB
| Sound Source | Approximate Decibel Level | Comparison to 113 dB |
|---|---|---|
| Normal conversation | 60 dB | 53 dB lower (nearly 1,000 times quieter) |
| City traffic | 80-85 dB | ~30 dB lower (about 1,000 times quieter) |
| Motorcycle | 95-100 dB | ~15 dB lower (about 30 times quieter) |
| Ambulance siren | 110-115 dB | Similar level |
| Rock concert (near speakers) | 110-120 dB | Similar level |
| Thunderclap (nearby) | 120 dB | 7 dB higher (about 5 times louder) |
| Jet engine at take-off (near) | 140 dB | 27 dB higher (about 500 times louder) |
Note: Every 10 dB increase represents a perceived doubling of loudness, while in terms of sound energy, each 3 dB increase represents a doubling of acoustic energy.
Health Effects of 113 Decibel Exposure
Exposure to sounds at 113 decibels can have significant negative effects on human health, particularly on hearing.
Hearing Damage Risk
At 113 dB, the risk of hearing damage is immediate and severe:
- Temporary threshold shift: Even brief exposure can cause temporary hearing loss
- Permanent hearing damage: Exposure for just under a minute can cause permanent damage
- Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in the ears that may become permanent
- Hair cell destruction: Damage to the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear that cannot regenerate
Safe Exposure Time at 113 dB
| Standard | Maximum Safe Exposure Time |
|---|---|
| NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) | Less than 56 seconds |
| OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) | Approximately 15 minutes |
| WHO (World Health Organization) | Not recommended for any duration |
Note: OSHA standards are less stringent than NIOSH recommendations. For personal safety, the more conservative NIOSH guidelines are preferable.
Other Health Effects
Beyond hearing damage, exposure to 113 dB can cause:
- Cardiovascular effects: Temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure
- Stress response: Release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline
- Sleep disturbance: If exposure occurs during rest periods
- Cognitive impairment: Difficulty concentrating and reduced performance on cognitive tasks
- Communication difficulties: Inability to hear others speaking, potentially creating safety hazards
Sources of 113 dB Sounds
Several common sources can produce sounds at or near 113 decibels:
Entertainment Sources
- Rock concerts: Especially near speakers or amplifiers
- Sports stadiums: During peak crowd reactions
- Nightclubs: Near speakers or DJ booths
- Movie theaters: During loud action scenes in some theaters
- Personal audio devices: At maximum volume with certain headphones
Transportation Sources
- Car horns: At very close range
- Emergency vehicle sirens: At close range
- Jet engines: From approximately 100 meters distance
- Motorcycle exhaust: Especially modified or racing motorcycles
- Train horns: At close proximity
Tools and Equipment
- Chainsaws: During operation
- Jackhammers: At operator position
- Leaf blowers: Commercial models at close range
- Power tools: Some industrial drills and sanders
- Pressure washers: Industrial models
Natural Phenomena
- Thunder: Very close lightning strikes
- Volcanic eruptions: At a moderate distance
Protecting Your Hearing from 113 dB Sounds
Due to the serious risk of hearing damage from exposure to 113 dB sounds, proper protection is essential:
Types of Hearing Protection and Their Effectiveness
| Protection Type | Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) | Effective Level at 113 dB | Safe Exposure Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam Earplugs (properly inserted) | 20-30 dB | 83-93 dB | 2-8 hours |
| Earmuffs | 20-26 dB | 87-93 dB | 2-8 hours |
| Dual Protection (earplugs + earmuffs) | 30-36 dB | 77-83 dB | 8+ hours |
| Custom-molded musicians' earplugs | 15-25 dB | 88-98 dB | 1-4 hours |
Note: The effective NRR in real-world conditions is often less than laboratory ratings. OSHA recommends derating NRR values by 50% for earplugs and 25% for earmuffs when estimating workplace protection.
Proper Use of Hearing Protection
- Foam earplugs: Roll tightly, insert deeply, hold until expanded
- Earmuffs: Ensure complete seal around ears, maintain headband tension
- Dual protection: Insert earplugs first, then place earmuffs over ears
- Duration: Wear protection for the entire duration of exposure
- Maintenance: Regularly inspect and replace damaged protection
Additional Protection Strategies
- Distance: Double your distance from a sound source reduces the level by 6 dB
- Duration: Limit exposure time and take breaks in quieter areas
- Barriers: Use acoustic barriers when possible
- Regular hearing checks: Get periodic audiometric testing if regularly exposed to loud sounds
Physics of 113 Decibel Sound
Understanding the physics behind a 113 dB sound helps explain why it's so potentially harmful:
Sound Pressure Level
A sound level of 113 dB corresponds to a sound pressure of approximately 8.94 Pa (pascals), which is about 89,400 times the reference pressure of 20 μPa (the threshold of human hearing).
Formula for Sound Pressure Level (SPL):
SPL (in dB) = 20 × log10(p/pref)
Where:
- p is the sound pressure being measured (in pascals)
- pref is the reference pressure of 20 μPa
For 113 dB:
113 = 20 × log10(p/0.00002 Pa)
p = 0.00002 Pa × 10(113/20)
p ≈ 8.94 Pa
Sound Intensity
At 113 dB, the sound intensity is approximately 0.2 W/m² (watts per square meter), which is about 20 million times the intensity at the threshold of human hearing (10-12 W/m²).
Formula for Sound Intensity Level (SIL):
SIL (in dB) = 10 × log10(I/Iref)
Where:
- I is the sound intensity being measured (in W/m²)
- Iref is the reference intensity of 10-12 W/m²
For 113 dB:
113 = 10 × log10(I/10-12 W/m²)
I = 10-12 W/m² × 10(113/10)
I ≈ 0.2 W/m²
Energy Transfer to the Ear
The energy from a 113 dB sound that enters the ear canal causes the eardrum to vibrate with significantly greater amplitude than safe levels. This excessive mechanical movement can physically damage the structures of the inner ear, particularly the hair cells in the cochlea that convert mechanical vibrations into neural signals.
To put this in perspective, the energy transferred to the ear at 113 dB is about:
- 200,000 times greater than at normal conversation level (60 dB)
- 50 times greater than at the threshold of potential hearing damage (85 dB)
Measuring 113 Decibel Sounds
Accurately measuring a 113 dB sound requires proper equipment and technique:
Sound Level Meters
Professional sound level meters are classified into different types:
- Type 1 (precision grade): Accurate to ±1 dB, used for detailed acoustic measurements
- Type 2 (general purpose): Accurate to ±2 dB, used for general environmental noise assessment
- Smartphone apps: Variable accuracy, typically ±5-10 dB depending on the phone and app
Weighting Scales
Sound measurements typically use different weighting scales to approximate human hearing sensitivity:
- A-weighting (dBA): Most common for environmental and workplace noise, approximates human ear response at moderate sound levels
- C-weighting (dBC): Used for louder sounds, more linear response across frequencies
- Z-weighting (dBZ): Unweighted measurement across all frequencies
A 113 dBA sound is generally more dangerous to hearing than a 113 dBC sound, as A-weighting would indicate high levels in the frequency range where human hearing is most sensitive.
Proper Measurement Technique
- Hold the meter at arm's length to avoid reflections from your body
- Orient the microphone toward the sound source
- Allow sufficient time for the reading to stabilize
- Take measurements from multiple positions
- Record both peak and average (Leq) readings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 113 decibels cause permanent hearing loss?
Yes, 113 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss with very brief exposure. According to NIOSH guidelines, exposure to 113 dB for just under a minute (approximately 56 seconds) can cause permanent hearing damage. This sound level is well above the threshold where immediate damage to the delicate hair cells in the inner ear can occur. Unlike some other tissues in the body, these hair cells don't regenerate, making the hearing loss permanent.
How far away from a 113 dB sound source should you stand?
For each doubling of distance from a point sound source, the sound level decreases by approximately 6 dB. To reduce a 113 dB sound to a safer level of 85 dB (where limited exposure is considered safer), you would need to be about 16 times farther away from the source. For example, if the sound is 113 dB at 1 meter, you would need to stand about 16 meters away to reduce it to 85 dB. However, this rule varies based on the environment, as reflections and other factors can affect sound propagation.
Is 113 dB louder than a jet engine?
A jet engine at takeoff typically produces around 140 dB at close range, which is significantly louder than 113 dB. However, from a greater distance (approximately 100 meters), a jet engine might produce sound levels around 110-115 dB, which is comparable to 113 dB. For perspective, a 27 dB difference (between 113 dB and 140 dB) represents a sound that is about 500 times more intense in terms of acoustic energy.
How does 113 dB compare to a rock concert?
A typical rock concert measures between 110-120 dB near the speakers, making 113 dB very representative of what you might experience at a rock concert if you're close to the stage or speakers. This is why hearing protection is strongly recommended at concerts, as exposure to these levels for the duration of a concert (typically 1.5-3 hours) far exceeds safe exposure limits and can cause significant hearing damage.
Do earplugs block all 113 dB sound?
No, earplugs do not block all sound at 113 dB. Standard foam earplugs have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 20-30 dB when properly inserted. This means they reduce the sound level by approximately 20-30 dB, so a 113 dB sound would still reach your ear at around 83-93 dB. This is safer but still potentially harmful with prolonged exposure. For better protection from extremely loud sounds, using dual protection (earplugs plus earmuffs) can provide up to 30-36 dB of noise reduction.