Going to the movies is a popular pastime, but could they be damaging to your hearing?
Movie theater decibels often cross unsafe levels, and some people may even find a loud movie at their local cinema to be uncomfortable to watch. Let’s dive into why are movie theaters so loud and what you can do about it.
According to the American Hearing Research Foundation, hearing at the movies can be damaged by the volume levels of certain theaters. Certain genres, such as action movies, tend to be even louder, which can further damage hearing.
Naturally, it can also depend on where you happen to sit. Sitting close to the speakers will lead to louder sounds than people sitting closer to the center of the theater.
The location of the speakers depends on the layout of the theater. Movie theater decibels are not consistent across the nation.
What is clear is that spending a lot of time watching loud movies could cause noise-induced hearing loss.
Most experts agree that prolonged exposure to sounds of more than 80 dB can cause damage to your hearing. Movie damage, however, is more likely because your average movie theater frequently crosses into the danger zone.
Let’s examine some famous movies at the theater and their average sound outputs.
● The Magnificent Seven/Western – Lots of gunfire means that this movie doesn’t take long to hit more than 97 dB.
● Storks/Animation – This animated feature mainly stays under 85 dB, but it does reach a minor peak of 99 dB.
● Deepwater Horizon/Action – Lots of big explosions and general destruction were found here. Regular peaks of 101 dB and 105 dB have been registered.
Peaks don’t necessarily lead to noise-induced hearing loss until a range of 120 dB to 140 dB hits, which is far above what you’re likely to hear from a loud movie.
Generally, you can listen to 100 dB for 15 minutes or 110 dB for two minutes before damage to your hearing becomes likely.
For some context, here are some examples of noises you likely hear in your daily life and their associated dB readings:
● 75 dB – Average tv listening volume
● 85 dB – Lawnmower or gas-powered leaf blowers
● 95 dB – Motorcycle engine
● 110 dB – Shouting in the ear
● 120 dB – Standing next to a siren
● 140 dB – Firecrackers
The louder the sound, the less time you can afford to be exposed to it. Luckily, when figuring out how many decibels is a movie theater, you can be sure that even unsafe noise levels are generally confined to a few seconds at a time
Working out how loud are movie theaters is difficult without a sound meter since every theater is different. What isn’t always clear is why people insist on hearing the movies at such a high volume.
The truth is theaters have gotten louder since the switch away from analog sounds. Analog sounds are crackly and distorted at higher volumes. Digital sounds can be cranked up, which is culturally considered to be part of the experience for movie theatergoers.
There are standards established regarding how movies are made and how they are delivered to theaters.
What volume you hear your movie at depends entirely on the theater in question. The only obligation they have is to avoid consistent noise levels above 85 dB.
That loud movie could be damaging to your hearing. Here are some tips for keeping your hearing safe if you’re a regular visitor to the movie theater:
● Sit further away from the speakers. Generally, you should be closer to the back and closer to the center for the safest location.
● Bring some disposable earplugs if the noise gets too loud.
● Feel free to leave the movie theater for a bathroom break if your ears start to hurt.
● See fewer action movies. These tend to have higher noise levels overall.
● Go to a quiet environment after the movie to give your ears a rest.
Noise-induced hearing loss cannot be treated. The tiny hair-like cells within the inner ear are responsible for converting the sounds you hear into electrical impulses that are interpreted by the brain. Once they’re gone, they’re gone, which is why it’s so important to protect your hearing.
While there are no treatments for a lifetime of listening to loud movies, there are ways to amplify your hearing.
The main option is to get a hearing aid. Anyone of any age and background can suffer from noise-induced hearing loss, and it’s critical that you seek treatment as early as possible.
Untreated hearing loss of any kind is disconcerting and uncomfortable, but there are solutions. Modern hearing aids are discrete, easy to wear, affordable, and come with many quality of life benefits.
They are not just for people with severe hearing loss. Even those with mild hearing loss can benefit.
The world is louder than ever, and auditory experts are worried about the number of loud noises the average person is exposed to daily. Movie theater decibels can be a particular problem when it comes to noise-induced hearing loss, but there are steps you can take.
If you’re worried about your hearing or already struggling to hear, it’s important to seek out a professional. To schedule your free hearing consultation with a licensed professional, contact EarPros now. We can provide you with the best hearing aids for your needs.
