Monitoring Your Daily Exposure to Noise

Karl.B • March 18, 2020

Noise pollution is a big issue in a world that continues to get louder. Exposure to noise from workplaces has long been recognized as a health issue and is continually monitored to protect employees from hearing loss.

But its not just noise at work we have to be careful of – dangerous noise levels are present off the job, too. During a 2011-2012 CDC survey, it was found that as many as 40 million people (24 percent) had hearing loss due to noise sensitivity during one or both ears.

And how do we ensure noise exposure does not leave us with permanent hearing loss? To keep our hearing intact and reduce lasting damage, learning to detect excessive noise and using resources to stop it and shielding ourselves from it are essential steps.

The louder it is, the less time you have

Protecting yourself from noise is not merely a matter of avoiding the loudest sounds. Instead, it is about managing your daily total noise exposure. It’s about the amount of noise and how long you are exposed to it.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set the safe exposure limit as 8 hours of being exposed to sounds of 85 decibels or less. The appropriate amount of listening time decreases exponentially as decibels increase. Here is some example NIOSH gives ranges:

85 dB (A) over eight hours
88 dB (A) 4 hours
91 dB(A) 2 hours

While these numbers are useful, they don’t always depict a realistic scenario. Unless you work in a noisy environment, it is unlikely that you would have to endure 85db for eight hours regularly. What it is trying to communicate is that at any given point in time, the sound level may be high without causing damage, as long as it is balanced out with lower levels of noise during the rest of the day.

The effects of prolonged noise exposure

The average person is born with around 16,000 hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear. These cells help to detect sounds in your brain. Up to 30 percent to 50% of hair cells can be weakened or lost before a hearing test can assess changes in your hearing. Therefore, many hair cells can be damaged by the time you notice the hearing loss, and can’t be replaced.

Repeated exposures to excessive noise gradually kill these hair cells. In noisy environments, this can slowly reduce the ability to understand the words of the people you are talking to. Eventually, if hearing loss occurs, voices even in quieter environments will become challenging to understand.

The importance of sound meter apps

With a sound level meter or a mobile sound monitoring device, audio levels can be measured at any point in your day. Whether you’re out at a festival, a bar, a sports arena, or any other place where the noise for your hearing reaches safe levels, you can now use a smartphone app to monitor noise in your environment.

What to do when there’s too much noise.

When the noise is louder than 85db, NIOSH advises that you take care to protect the hearing in the following ways:

Don’t fight noise with more noise. Listening to loud music to block noise when in public transport has been shown in a recent study to increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. The authors of the study noted that “commuters listen to high volume levels to mask the background noise encountered during their daily commute.” By turning up the volume in high noise areas, they said, this puts even more strain on the ears, resulting in noise-induced hearing loss. Instead, invest in a decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones to avoid turning up the volume too loud to block out of the background noise.

Follow the 60/60 rule : Listen to music on earbuds or headphones at no more than 60% of the volume capacity of your smartphone, for no more than 60 minutes before taking a break.

Restrict your exposure time: Whether you’re at a concert of work in a noisy environment, take frequent breaks from the source of the noise should be taken to rest your ears.

Use sufficient hearing protection : if the noise level is too high, use earplugs. These will ensure your hearing capacity is protected from the worst of the noise. Many earplugs minimize the noise by between 20 and 30 dB.

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Is Your Respirator Program Still Compliant in 2026?

By Mary Jane Bumanglag • May 30, 2026

In many workplaces, respirators are considered the last line of defense against airborne hazards. But even the best respirator won’t protect workers if the program behind it is outdated, incomplete, or inconsistently followed. As industries continue to prioritize workplace safety, 2026 is the right time for companies to take a closer look at their respirator protection programs — not because regulations suddenly changed overnight, but because compliance alone does not always guarantee protection. At Anadyne, we believe employers should move beyond “checking the box” and focus on creating programs that genuinely keep workers safe every day on the job. Why Companies Should Review Their Respirator Program Now Many organizations assume that if they passed an inspection or completed fit testing a few years ago, their program is still effective today. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. A respirator protection program can gradually become outdated due to: Employee turnover Changes in job tasks or exposure risks Improper respirator storage and maintenance Weight fluctuations affecting fit Inconsistent training practices Missing documentation Delayed medical evaluations or fit testing The reality is this: a company can technically remain compliant with minimum requirements and still experience workplace injuries or respiratory exposure incidents. That’s why regular program reviews matter. Compliance Is Only the Beginning Respiratory protection standards are designed to establish minimum safety requirements. However, truly effective programs go further by ensuring workers consistently use and maintain their equipment properly between evaluations and fit tests. A worker may pass a fit test today, but what happens afterward? Are they: Shaving regularly to maintain a proper seal? Replacing filters when needed? Inspecting respirators for damaged seals? Properly storing equipment in sealed bags between jobs? Reporting major physical changes that may affect fit? These day-to-day behaviors determine whether respiratory protection actually works in real-world conditions. What a Complete Respirator Protection Program Should Include An effective respirator protection program should contain several critical components working together. 1. Fit Testing Fit testing confirms that the respirator forms a proper seal on the employee’s face. (objective testing is recommended to rule out known inconsistencies with subjective 'irritant smoke' methods) Even small facial changes, damaged equipment, or improper sizing can compromise protection. 2. Training & Education Training should go beyond simply teaching employees how to wear a respirator. Effective training helps workers understand: Why respiratory protection matters How improper use increases risk How to inspect equipment properly When to replace filters or cartridges Proper cleaning and storage procedures When to report issues or request reassessment The goal is not just passing a test, it’s ensuring workers remain protected every day between tests. 3. Documentation & Written Program Review Proper documentation is essential for both compliance and operational consistency. A written respirator protection program should clearly outline procedures, responsibilities, equipment protocols, training schedules, evaluation records, and emergency processes. Without regular review, written programs can quickly become outdated or disconnected from actual workplace practices. Don’t Wait Until There’s a Problem Delaying a respirator program review is similar to avoiding a routine medical check-up. If concerns already exist, waiting longer often increases the risk of larger problems later. The good news is that most companies can address issues proactively before they become serious safety incidents, compliance violations, or costly disruptions. A review today can help identify gaps early, while solutions are still manageable. How Anadyne Can Help In 2026, Anadyne is proud to expand its respiratory protection services to help companies strengthen workplace safety programs with confidence. Whether you need: Respirator fit testing Program evaluations Training support Written program reviews Guidance on best practices Our team is ready to help you build a program that supports both compliance and worker protection. Schedule a Respirator Program Review Protecting your workforce starts with understanding where your current program stands. Book a consultation with Anadyne today and take the next step toward a safer, stronger respirator protection program.