How Long Can You Safely Listen?
A simple guide to safe exposure times, dB levels and choosing the right protection for loud environments.
6 min read
June 21 2026
Loud music adds up faster then you think.
Hearing damage does not only depend on how loud music is. It also depends on how long and how often you are exposed to it. At 80 dB, adults can listen for up to approximately 40 hours per week. At 90 dB, that amount drops to around four hours per week.
Because decibels use a logarithmic scale, a small increase in volume can greatly reduce your safe listening time. Under the commonly used 3 dB exchange principle, every increase of 3 dB approximately halves the recommended exposure time.
What does this mean at a concert or festivals ?
Concerts, festivals and clubs can expose your ears to high sound levels for several hours. The risk increases when you remain close to speakers, visit multiple events in a short period or continue listening loudly through headphones afterwards.
Watch for warning signs such as:
Ringing or buzzing after the event.
Muffled hearing.
Difficulty understanding conversations.
Needing to increase your normal listening volume.
Kees Snijders
CEO of NP-ONE
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