Daily noise dose (NIOSH)
–
How noise dose works
Hearing damage depends on both how loud a sound is and how long you're exposed. Occupational safety agencies express this as a daily noise dose: 100 % is the most exposure considered acceptable in a day. Two standards are widely used:
- NIOSH (recommended): 85 dBA for 8 hours, with a 3 dB exchange rate – every 3 dB increase halves the allowed time.
- OSHA (US legal limit for workplaces): 90 dBA for 8 hours, with a 5 dB exchange rate.
NIOSH's criterion is more protective and is the one hearing experts usually recommend for leisure listening as well.
Allowed time (NIOSH) = 8 h ÷ 2^((level − 85) ÷ 3) · Dose = Σ (time ÷ allowed time)
NIOSH safe listening times
| Level | Example | Safe time per day |
|---|
| 85 dBA | Heavy traffic, loud restaurant | 8 hours |
| 88 dBA | Headphones fairly loud | 4 hours |
| 91 dBA | Power drill | 2 hours |
| 94 dBA | Motorcycle, loud headphones | 1 hour |
| 100 dBA | Nightclub, maximum headphone volume | 15 minutes |
| 106 dBA | Rock concert | under 4 minutes |
| 110 dBA | Front row at a concert | about 1.5 minutes |
Protecting your hearing
- Turn it down: every 3 dB less doubles your safe listening time.
- Noise-cancelling headphones reduce background noise so you can listen at lower volume on trains and planes.
- High-fidelity earplugs lower concert levels evenly by 15 – 25 dB without making music sound muffled.
- Take breaks – your ears recover better with quiet time between loud exposures.
- Use the phone's hearing features – many phones track headphone exposure and can cap the volume.
Signs of noise damage
Temporary ringing or muffled hearing after a loud event is a sign your ears have been overexposed. Repeated overexposure leads to permanent hearing loss and tinnitus, which can't be reversed. If symptoms last more than a day, or if you notice difficulty following conversations, see an audiologist for a hearing test.
General information only – not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I listen to music at 85 dB?
About 8 hours per day under the NIOSH recommendation.
Is 100 dB safe?
Only for about 15 minutes per day according to NIOSH. Use earplugs at concerts and clubs.
What is the 60/60 rule?
Listen at no more than 60 % of maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time, then take a break.
What is the difference between NIOSH and OSHA limits?
NIOSH recommends 85 dBA for 8 hours with a 3 dB exchange rate; OSHA's legal limit is 90 dBA with a 5 dB exchange rate, which is less protective.
Do noise-cancelling headphones protect hearing?
They help by letting you listen at lower volumes in noisy places, but you still need to keep the volume moderate.
About EarTime
EarTime is an independent, free calculator based on published NIOSH and OSHA occupational noise criteria. It provides general information only and is not medical advice; see an audiologist about hearing concerns. We are not affiliated with any hearing protection or audio brand.
Every formula on this page runs entirely in your web browser. The numbers you type are never uploaded, stored or shared. Our goal is simple: give you an honest starting point so you can compare product specifications with confidence and avoid paying for capacity you do not need – or buying something too small to do the job.
The methodology combines widely published engineering rules of thumb, manufacturer data sheets and the electrical code practices that installers use every day. We review the assumptions regularly and update the calculator when typical product specifications change.
Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 28, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how EarTime ("we", "us") handles information when you visit this website. By using the site you agree to this policy.
Information we collect
We do not require registration and we do not ask for your name, address or payment details. Values entered into the calculator are processed locally in your browser and are not transmitted to our servers. Like most websites, our hosting provider may automatically record standard server log data such as IP address, browser type, referring page and time of visit for security and performance purposes.
Cookies and advertising
We use Google AdSense to show advertisements that keep this tool free. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on their visit to this site and/or other sites on the Internet. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, or opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising at www.aboutads.info (US) or www.youronlinechoices.eu (Europe). To learn more, see How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services.
Visitors from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are shown a consent message powered by a Google-certified consent management platform, where you can accept, reject or manage cookie choices. You can change your choices at any time from the privacy link displayed by that message. Some visitors may also be offered the option to view a short ad or complete another offer in exchange for access to the content; this choice is provided by Google and is entirely optional where alternatives are offered.
Analytics
We may use privacy-friendly, aggregated statistics to understand which features are used. These statistics do not identify you personally.
Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR or the CCPA/CPRA), you may have the right to access, correct or delete personal data and to object to certain processing. Because we do not keep personal data from the calculator, most requests can be handled by clearing cookies in your browser. For any other request, contact us at the address above.
Children
This site is intended for a general adult audience and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this section shows when it was last revised.
Terms of Use & Disclaimer
The calculator and articles on this website are provided free of charge for general information and educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on typical values and simplifying assumptions; real-world performance depends on the specific product, installation, climate, wiring and how you use your equipment.
Nothing on this site is professional engineering, electrical or financial advice. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and local electrical codes, and have permanent installations, transfer switches and grid-connected systems designed and installed by a licensed electrician or qualified installer. Never operate fuel-burning generators indoors or in enclosed spaces – carbon monoxide can kill within minutes.
The site is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, EarTime is not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information or results provided. Product and brand names mentioned belong to their respective owners and are used for identification only. You may use the calculator for personal and commercial purposes, but you may not copy or republish the site content without permission.
EarTime