A noise level of ___ or more can cause hearing loss.

• A. 85 Decibels
• B. 65 Decibels
• C. 75 Decibels
• D. 95 Decibels

Answer: (A)

Loud sounds damage hearing when exposure lasts long enough, because they can irreversibly harm the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. Safety guidelines use about 85 decibels as the threshold where the risk of hearing loss becomes significant with typical exposure times. As the level rises, the safe exposure time drops roughly in half for every ~3 dB increase, so at 85 dB you might safely be exposed for around 8 hours, then shorter times as the level goes higher.

Levels well below this, like 65 dB or 75 dB, are generally not a concern for hearing loss from ordinary daily exposure. Very loud levels, such as 95 dB, can cause damage in much shorter times, but the standard threshold used to indicate potential risk is 85 dB, making that the best answer for the statement.