Plugging Ears with Fingers? How Many Decibels Does the Noise Drop?

[Apocalypse77]

When you plug your ears with fingers how much does it make the noise quieter?

Lets say that you are in 115 dB noise and plug your ears with fingers. How many dBs does the noise drop?

 

[JurgenG]

What do you mean by plugging your ears?
Do you mean like closing the little "flap" or hows it's called?

For me I am pretty sure it's more than 20 dB, possibly over 30.

 

[Sam Bridge]

He means using your finger as an ear plug. I think its about 25db reduction.

 

[Rubenslash]

Id guess around 25-30 db, good question

 

[Apocalypse77]

He means using your finger as an ear plug. I think its about 25db reduction.

This is exactly what I mean.

 

[Paul10]

Drop? Mine increases with silence. Maybe I'm confusing the question.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Drop? Mine increases with silence. Maybe I'm confusing the question.

I think they meant external noise. Like how does physically plugging our ears compare to wearing earplugs?

 

[Apocalypse77]

@Rubenslash @Sam Bridge Thank you for your answers!

I am asking this question because I got exposed to hammering nails for under a minute. I was 6 meters away and I plugged my ears (used fingers as earplugs).

Hammering nails is about 120db and when we distract my distance and that I plugged my ears with my fingers we propably end up on about 110-115db so I think I should be alright.

 

[Paul10]

I think they meant external noise. Like how does physically plugging our ears compare to wearing earplugs?

I have multiple tones, I hear a T tone when I plug my ears that I don't really hear without doing it. EEEEEEEEEEEEEE is there when I put my fingers in my ears

 

[Apocalypse77]

@Rubenslash Even when it is a loud sudden noise should it be like 20-25 db lower?

 

[Apocalypse77]

I think they meant external noise. Like how does physically plugging our ears compare to wearing earplugs?

@Tinker Bell yes, this is what i meant. Do you have any idea how much does it come lower?

 

[Paul10]

@Rubenslash Even when it is a loud sudden noise should it be like 20-25 db lower?

Honestly explain to me what this is about lol

 

[Rubenslash]

@Rubenslash Even when it is a loud sudden noise should it be like 20-25 db lower?

Yeah, doesn't make a difference. Don't worry about the hammer incident.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Honestly explain to me what this is about lol

Suppose you are standing next to a vacuum cleaner. It is loud. You don't have earplugs, but you stick your fingers into your ears. Or you press your finger onto the little flap, closing the opening of your ear. The question is, what is the noise reduction? Is it similar to the noise reduction you can achieve with earplugs?

 

[Tinker Bell]

I have multiple tones, I hear a T tone when I plug my ears that I don't really hear without doing it. EEEEEEEEEEEEEE is there when I put my fingers in my ears

Mine does the same when I'm in loud environments, even with foam earplugs which is annoying.

 

[Tinker Bell]

@Tinker Bell yes, this is what i meant. Do you have any idea how much does it come lower?

I think it blocks a lot. Last night I was at a place where sound levels were fluctuating. I put in my musican's earplug but that was irritating my ear. So I ended up just blocking my ear with my own finger, it was much quieter.

 

[Paul10]

Suppose you are standing next to a vacuum cleaner. It is loud. You don't have earplugs, but you stick your fingers into your ears. Or you press your finger onto the little flap, closing the opening of your ear. The question is, what is the noise reduction? Is it similar to the noise reduction you can achieve with earplugs?

ohhhhhh.... I'm dumb lol. Anytime I hear "noise" I automatically think it means T. I was getting confused; thought people were saying plugging their ears reduced their T lol thanks!

 

[Bill Bauer]

Anytime I hear "noise" I automatically think it means T.

Same here.

 

[Paul10]

Mine does the same when I'm in loud environments, even with foam earplugs which is annoying.

I was just sitting in a quiet room there now and had to laugh at how ridiculous it is. We can send a man to the moon and map the human genome but can't stop a few simple (but loud) noises

 

[Rubenslash]

I was just sitting in a quiet room there now and had to laugh at how ridiculous it is. We can send a man to the moon and map the human genome but can't stop a few simple (but loud) noises

It's neurological, they can't cure any neuro disease. Think about MS, Parkinson, visual snow, Neuropathy, optic neuritis and hundreds of others neuro diseases. For all these there's one thing in common: they have no clue.

 

[TuneOut]

What do you mean by plugging your ears?
Do you mean like closing the little "flap" or hows it's called?

For me I am pretty sure it's more than 20 dB, possibly over 30.

Now that brings up another question: Is it better to use your fingers or fold that flap over your ears? I do the latter. I perceive it to be more effective.

 

[JurgenG]

Now that brings up another question: Is it better to use your fingers or fold that flap over your ears? I do the latter. I perceive it to be more effective.

I am pretty sure its safer as well. And blocks a lot of sound.
Also your fingers don't fit perfectly.

 

[Bill Bauer]

How many dBs does the noise drop?

Looks like it is around 25 dB...
https://solentacoustics.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/natural-hearing-protection-hands/
http://earplugstore.typepad.com/got...t-from-putting-your-fingers-in-your-ears.html

 

[Alue]

Looks like it is around 25 dB...
https://solentacoustics.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/natural-hearing-protection-hands/
http://earplugstore.typepad.com/got...t-from-putting-your-fingers-in-your-ears.html

I know it's not anywhere close to that for me. Damn my large ear canals. Putting my hands over my ears actually blocks out more than my fingers. : /

 

[Zug]

@Rubenslash @Sam Bridge Thank you for your answers!

I am asking this question because I got exposed to hammering nails for under a minute. I was 6 meters away and I plugged my ears (used fingers as earplugs).

Hammering nails is about 120db and when we distract my distance and that I plugged my ears with my fingers we propably end up on about 110-115db so I think I should be alright.

You will be alright. Harm is a function of Volume X Exposure time.

About protection, in the real world, it's not that cut and dry. When you read that a plug has X db reduction, it's in a laboratory setting. I doubt someone could do a reliable test about the question you're asking, too many individual differences to control for.

The important thing is that you're smart enough to protect your ears when it's too loud.

The past is in the past.

Best,
Zug