

Sometimes concerts are loud due to band and showrunner requirements. So if you’re wondering how many decibels is a concert compared to everyday noises, here are a few examples: Concerts – and particularly rock concerts – are loud! However, that doesn’t help put noise levels and the associated risks to your ears in any kind of relatable context. But how loud is a rock concert outdoors versus indoors? Usually, about 30 dB lower at around 90 to 100 dB – which is much better news for your ears!Īll of this probably just tells you what you already knew. As we’ve already established, rock concert decibel levels are the highest of all the music genres. Outdoor events in open-roofed arenas and stadiums record lower concert decibel levels because there are fewer solid surfaces for sound vibrations to reverberate off. The concert environment can also play a significant role in how loud it is. Hip hop concerts are usually several decibels quieter than rock concerts, around 100-110 dB, because the instruments they use are electronic and not as loud as electric guitars or drums.Rock concert decibel levels often exceed 120 dB.Classical music concerts range from 70 dB in quieter passages to 90 dB in louder sections.Church choruses/school choirs typically range from 80 dB to 90 dB.Here are some examples of different music genres and their respective sound energy levels: So you’d be better off asking specifically, ‘how many decibels is a rock concert’ or ‘how loud is a classical concert’. However, ‘how loud are concerts?’ is not a straightforward question, as there are many variables at play.įirst, there are several different styles of music, and volume levels vary between them. In layman’s terms, this means that you are at the same risk from attending a 90-decibel concert for 4 hours as you are by attending a 96-decibel concert for 1 hour.Īccording to Hearnet, the average concert ranges between 110 dB and 120 dB. Scientists often explain noise-related hearing loss by referring to the 3 dB rule, which states that for every 3 dB change, sound energy is doubled or halved (respectively of whether it is increasing or decreasing). Consequently, the more concerts you attend, the higher the risk becomes. The chance of permanent hearing impairment increases with each exposure because more and more hair cells are damaged every time. Even if the buzzing or ringing effects are only temporary, they indicate some form of hearing loss. Given the elevated decibel levels, just a few minutes of a concert could damage many cilia cells. Differences in hearing between each ear (diplacusis).Oversensitivity to certain frequencies and sounds (hyperacusis).Symptoms and severity vary, but examples of noise-induced hearing loss include: Once damaged, hair cells cannot be repaired, and hearing loss results because sound signals are no longer relayed properly between your auditory nerve and the brain. However, in the case of loud noises, sound vibrations cause the cilia hairs to bend backward or snap prematurely. They are worn down naturally over time, which is why many of us experience hearing loss as part of the natural aging process. Cilia are tiny hairs that extend from cells within our ears. Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when the cilia inside our cochleas become damaged.

However, those ringing and muffled feelings in your ears after a concert are classic signs of hearing loss. We rarely feel hearing loss happening in the moment because we don’t experience physical pain until noise levels reach around 120 decibels. At this point, hearing loss can occur quickly. Concert dB levels often reach over 100, and rock concert dB levels can exceed 120.

Essentially, the louder a noise is, the faster hearing loss may occur. Any noise of 70 dB or above over a prolonged time can cause damage to your hearing, and noises over 120 dB may result in immediate damage. Normal speech registers at 60 decibels, whereas a whisper is only around 30 decibels, and shouting can reach up to 80 decibels. The most accurate way to measure noise is in decibels, often abbreviated to dB. Yet, subjectivity still plays a big part. Generally speaking, noise is classed as ‘loud’ when we have to raise our voices to be heard and ‘very loud’ when we have to shout to be understood. We all have different opinions when it comes to noise levels, enjoyment, and tolerance. But, of course, there is more to it than that.
