Sound Waves Review

Front

What is noise-induced hearing loss?

Back

Noise-induced hearing loss is a type of hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds over time, which can damage the hair cells in the inner ear.

Front

What are sound waves?

Back

Sound waves are vibrations that travel through air, water, or solid materials, and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear.

Front

What is the decibel scale?

Back

The decibel scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure the intensity of sound, where 0 dB is the threshold of hearing and every increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in intensity.

Front

What is the safe listening duration at 90 decibels?

Back

You can listen to a sound at 90 decibels for up to 8 hours without significant risk of hearing loss.

Front

How does loudness affect hearing loss risk?

Back

Higher loudness levels increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, especially with prolonged exposure.

Front

What is the relationship between exposure time and sound intensity?

Back

As sound intensity increases, the safe exposure time decreases; for example, at 95 decibels, the safe exposure time is reduced to about 4 hours.

Front

What are the two main factors that determine noise-induced hearing loss?

Back

The two main factors are the loudness of the sound and the length of exposure to that sound.

Front

What is a high-pitched sound?

Back

A high-pitched sound has a high frequency, which means it vibrates quickly and is perceived as a higher tone, like a whistle.

Front

What is a low-pitched sound?

Back

A low-pitched sound has a low frequency, which means it vibrates slowly and is perceived as a lower tone, like a bass drum.

Front

What does it mean to wear ear protection?

Back

Wearing ear protection, such as earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, helps reduce the intensity of sound reaching the ears, thereby lowering the risk of hearing loss.