RACK/ROOMS & COVERAGE
D%D\%

Noise exposure

Great sound should never come at the cost of your hearing.

Inputs

YOUR SYSTEM
dBA
80130
min
1480

Result

METER
Time to 100% daily noise dose
60min
NIOSH occupational reference, not a safe-listening guarantee
Dose for entered duration
100.0%
Reference level
85dBA
Exchange rate
3dB
100.0%DAILY REFERENCE DOSE60 minutes at 94 dBA100% is a reference limit, not a guarantee of safety.
NIOSH daily noise-dose reference: 85 dBA / 3 dB exchange

How it works

Every extra 3 dB halves the time.

NIOSH recommends an occupational exposure limit of 85 dBA over 8 hours, using a 3 dB exchange rate. Every additional 3 dB halves the duration that reaches the same daily noise dose.

The formula

T=4802(LAeq−85)/3 minT = \frac{480}{2^{(L_{Aeq} - 85)/3}}\ \text{min}
  • LAeqL_{Aeq} — average A-weighted sound level
  • DD — D (%)=100⋅t/TD\,(\%) = 100 \cdot t / T
  • Add doses from all daily exposures

Worth knowing

At 94 dBA, one hour reaches 100% of this daily reference dose. At 100 dBA, it takes only 15 minutes. Quieter breaks do not erase exposure you have already had.

Assumptions

This is a planning reference, not a guarantee of safety or a medical assessment. Susceptibility varies, peaks can be dangerous, and all daily exposures contribute. Use calibrated measurements, reduce levels and use appropriate hearing protection.

Source: CDC / NIOSH: understand noise exposure

Related calculators

SPL Throw & HeadroomSPL summationSPL Throw & Headroom