ACME earplugs have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) in the 25-30 dB range, which is especially significant for drummers. According to the National Institutes Of Health, prolonged exposure to sound at 85 decibels (dB) can cause short-term auditory damage while sounds at 120 dB and above can cause painful and permanent hearing loss. Since drumming often reaches or exceeds these dangerous volume levels, ACME’s 26 dB reduction provides immediate and long-term protection. The NIH list of common sounds and their decibel ratings
includes:
- Near total silence – 0 dB
- A whisper – 15 dB
- Normal conversation – 60 dB
- A lawnmower – 90 dB
- A car horn – 110 dB
- A rock concert or a jet engine – 120 dB
- A gunshot or firecracker – 140 dB