How Loud Are Car Alarms?

[geg1992]

I was shopping so my hands were full, and a car alarm went off next to where I was parked. I was exposed for about 15 seconds. I could feel the inside of my ears vibrating and my tinnitus has got worse which has made me worried It was so high pitched and loud, much louder than a horn. But it just seemed like a standard UK car alarm.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[linearb]

They can hit 125db, but, decibel dropoff by distance is exponential, so even being a few feet away from the source cuts that dramatically.

I'd say that next time this happens you might want to plug your ears with your fingers if possible, but I wouldn't be worried about this brief exposure doing actual damage. If it worries you, you could load up on NAC/magnesium/antibiotics.

 

[geg1992]

They can hit 125 dB, but, decibel dropoff by distance is exponential, so even being a few feet away from the source cuts that dramatically.

I'd say that next time this happens you might want to plug your ears with your fingers if possible, but I wouldn't be worried about this brief exposure doing actual damage. If it worries you, you could load up on NAC/magnesium/antibiotics.

125 dB?!? Didn't think it would be that loud! I have some magnesium so I'll take some of that.

 

[linearb]

125 dB?!? Didn't think it would be that loud! I have some magnesium so I'll take some of that.

That appears to be the absolute upper limit for units specifically sold as extremely loud. I would imagine that typical alarms are more like 90-110 dB.

 

[geg1992]

That appears to be the absolute upper limit for units specifically sold as extremely loud. I would imagine that typical alarms are more like 90-110 dB.

Ah I see, this was definitely a manufacturer's standard alarm, but it may be different in the UK? I can't seem to find much information. If it's 110 dB then I guess that's not too bad as it was a short exposure.

 

[Striveon]

Did your car alarm spike subside?

 

[GSC]

Did your car alarm spike subside?

Did you get hit by a car alarm?

 

[Striveon]

Did you get hit by a car alarm?

Yes this morning. I was standing right next to my car. I was exposed to 3 loud beeps.

 

[PeteJ]

Yes this morning. I was standing right next to my car. I was exposed to 3 loud beeps.

I haven't noticed any posts on the entire site of a car alarm causing a permanent spike. I think car alarms are relatively common since they go off so easily. My point is, it will happen to people here but no one has posted yet who thinks a car alarm worsened their tinnitus beyond a temporary spike. We are all different but it seems that car alarms may contribute to spikes but they don't seem to last?

I hope that eases your mind a bit? I also hope my observations are accurate.

 

[Jack Straw]

Yes this morning. I was standing right next to my car. I was exposed to 3 loud beeps.

I haven't noticed any posts on the entire site of a car alarm causing a permanent spike. I think car alarms are relatively common since they go off so easily. My point is, it will happen to people here but no one has posted yet who thinks a car alarm worsened their tinnitus beyond a temporary spike. We are all different but it seems that car alarms may contribute to spikes but they don't seem to last?

I hope that eases your mind a bit? I also hope my observations are accurate.

I agree with @PeteJ. People have described temporary spikes from car alarms but I have never seen one be permanent.

 

[Striveon]

I haven't noticed any posts on the entire site of a car alarm causing a permanent spike. I think car alarms are relatively common since they go off so easily. My point is, it will happen to people here but no one has posted yet who thinks a car alarm worsened their tinnitus beyond a temporary spike. We are all different but it seems that car alarms may contribute to spikes but they don't seem to last?

I hope that eases your mind a bit? I also hope my observations are accurate.

Thank you Pete, I truly appreciate you being there for me and providing me reassurance. <3 I will remain calm and laid back so this spike can hopefully subside sooner

 

[whatdidyousay]

Has anyone experienced something similar?

This happened to me earlier today. I was outside and had to take a very important call from my boss in the afternoon. I was sitting on a bench, only about 2-3 meters away from a parked car. The area was generally quiet, so I didn't think much of it. I was able to talk on the phone and use my laptop with my phone's hotspot for the internet at the same time.

However, the person who owned the car returned, and the car alarm suddenly went off. I was overwhelmed with anxiety, as I didn't want to abruptly hang up on my boss. I sat there for about a minute before the person managed to turn off the alarm.

The alarm was extremely loud, probably over 100 dB, though I'm unsure of the exact level. Since then, I've been dealing with ringing in my ears for the rest of the day. I'm not sure if it's due to anxiety from focusing on the incident or if it's some new hearing damage. I already have tinnitus, which I usually manage to ignore or not think about too much.

Now, I'm worried that I may have worsened my hearing. The conflicting advice from AI prompts is only adding to my stress. I was doing so well managing my tinnitus before this happened.