How Much Loud Can Kill You?
Sounds are made when objects vibrate and travel through the air as a wave. Loud sounds can damage the hair cells in the cochlea, resulting in hearing loss. This can happen quickly if the sound is loud enough, or over time with repeated or prolonged exposure. Sounds are rated by their intensity, measured in decibels. Damage isn't caused until you're listening to an 80 dB sound like a leaf blower for over an hour. Anything above 100 dB can cause hearing loss. At about 175 dB, your eardrums would burst, and anything over 210 decibels would cause your lungs to rupture and lead to death.