Decibel Levels by Firearm Type
| Firearm | Typical dBA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| .22 LR rifle | 140 dBA | Quietest common firearm — still at the pain threshold |
| 9mm pistol | 160 dBA | Most common handgun caliber worldwide |
| .45 ACP pistol | 157 dBA | Slightly lower pitch than 9mm, similar peak level |
| 5.56 NATO / AR-15 | 165 dBA | High muzzle velocity creates sharp pressure wave |
| 12-gauge shotgun | 160 dBA | Broad frequency impulse, felt as much as heard |
| .308 / 7.62 rifle | 165 dBA | Common hunting and military caliber |
| .50 BMG | 170+ dBA | Extreme muzzle blast, dangerous at 50+ feet |
| Suppressed 9mm | 125–135 dBA | Still louder than a rock concert |
Critical context: The NIOSH safe exposure limit is 140 dBA for impulse noise — a single event, not cumulative. Every firearm on this list meets or exceeds that threshold. A single unprotected gunshot can cause permanent hearing damage. There is no "safe" unprotected exposure.
Why Gunshots Are So Dangerous
Gunshots are uniquely harmful to hearing for three reasons:
- Extreme peak pressure. At 160 dBA, the sound pressure is 10,000 times greater than at the 85 dBA hearing damage threshold. Your ear's protective reflex (the acoustic reflex, which stiffens the middle ear bones) takes 25–150 milliseconds to activate — but a gunshot's impulse peaks in under 1 millisecond. Your ears have no time to protect themselves.
- Impulse noise is worse than continuous noise. The same total energy delivered as a sharp impulse causes more damage than the same energy spread over time. This is why gunshots are measured in peak dB rather than average (Leq).
- Proximity and direction. The shooter's ear closest to the muzzle (typically the left ear for right-handed shooters) receives a significantly higher dose than the far ear. This is why many experienced shooters have asymmetric hearing loss.
Hearing Protection Is Non-Negotiable
Anyone near firearms — shooters, range officers, bystanders, hunters — must wear hearing protection. The options:
- Foam earplugs (NRR 25–33): Minimum acceptable protection. Reduces exposure by 25–33 dB, bringing a 160 dBA gunshot down to ~127–135 dBA at your ear. Still loud, but below the impulse damage threshold.
- Over-ear muffs (NRR 22–31): Easier to put on and take off, more consistent fit. Electronic muffs amplify conversation while blocking impulse noise — ideal for range use.
- Double protection (plugs + muffs): Recommended for indoor ranges and large calibers. Adds roughly 5–10 dB beyond single protection (not the sum of both NRR values). This brings a 160 dBA shot down to approximately 120–125 dBA at your ear.
Suppressors reduce muzzle blast by 25–35 dB, bringing most handguns to 125–135 dBA. That's still louder than a rock concert, and still above the safe impulse threshold for many calibers. Suppressors are a hearing conservation tool, not a replacement for ear protection.
How Does a Gunshot Compare?
To understand the scale:
- Normal conversation: 60 dBA
- Rock concert: 110 dBA (100,000x less energy than a gunshot)
- Emergency siren: 115 dBA
- Threshold of pain: 120–130 dBA
- Gunshot: 140–170 dBA
- Rocket launch (nearby): 160–180 dBA
For the full reference, see our decibel chart of common sounds.
Note on measurement: Measuring gunshots with an iPhone is not recommended — iPhone microphones clip above ~115 dBA, so you'll get a maxed-out reading that doesn't reflect the true peak. Professional impulse noise measurement requires a Class 1 meter with a high peak capability (137+ dB). For more on what you can and can't measure with your iPhone, see our guide.