Noise Exposure Calculator: This table calculates the 8 hour equivalent sound exposure level as

per the equation in O.Reg 381/15. To use this table, enter the measured noise level (in dB(A))
and the amount of time and press ENTER.

8 hr Equivalent
Noise Level Exposure Time Exposure Level (Lex,8)

(in dB(A)) (hrs) (min) (in dB(A))

85 2 30 79.9

Lex,8
<80 dB(A) minimal risk of noise induced hearing loss

80-85 dB(A) some risk of noise induced hearing loss

85+ dB(A) significant risk of noise induced hearing loss

Time Weighted Average Calculator: This table calculates the 8 hr equivalent sound exposure
level for different noise levels and for specified lengths of exposure time. To use this chart, enter
the amount of time spent performing each activity and the corresponding noise level.

Exposure Time Noise Level Dose

(hrs) (min) (dBA) (%)
Activity 1 45 87 14.9%
Activity 2 1 10 90 46.1%
Activity 3 3 30 83 27.6%
Activity 4 2 80 7.9%
Activity 5 2 35 73 2.0%
Activity 6 35 74 0.6%
Activity 7 5 100 32.9%
Activity 8 0.0%
Activity 9 0.0%
Activity 10 0.0%
Activity 11 0.0%
Activity 12 0.0%
Activity 13 0.0%
Activity 14 0.0%
Activity 15 0.0%
Activity 16 0.0%
Activity 17 0.0%
Activity 18 0.0%
Activity 19 0.0%
Activity 20 0.0%
Activity 21 0.0%
Activity 22 0.0%
Activity 23 0.0%
Activity 24 0.0%
Activity 25 0.0%
Total Equivalent Noise Total
Time Exposure Level Dose
10.67 86.2 132.0%
 Allowed Exposure Time Calculator: This table calculates the amount of time it takes to reach
either an equivalent 8-hr exposure or L ex,8 of 85 dB(A) (in yellow) or Lex,8 of 80 dB(A) (in green).
Enter the noise level and press ENTER and the result is provided both in hours and in minutes.

DO NOT USE FOR NOISE LEVELS ABOVE 112 dB(A)

Noise Level Time Time
(dBA) (in hrs) (in mins)
90 2.52 151.19 to not exceed Lex,8 of 85 dB(A)

0.79 47.62 to not exceed Lex,8 of 80 dB(A)

Noise Exposure Levels: The following chart estimates roughly the amount of time it takes to
reach either an equivalent 8-hr exposure (L ex,8) of 85 dB(A) or an Lex,8 of 80 dB(A).

Sound Level Duration Duration

(in dB(A)) (85 dBA
(hrs/24 hrLday)
ex,8
) (80 dBA
(hrs/24 hrLday)
ex,8
) Lex,8
80.25 24 7½ 80 dB(A) little risk of noise induced hearing loss
81.5 18 5⅔ 85 dB(A) some risk of noise induced hearing loss
82.0 16 5
83.25 12 3¾
84.0 10 3¼
85.0 8 2½
86.25 6 2
88.0 4 1¼
89.25 3 1
91.0 2 40 min
92.25 1½ 30 min
94.0 1 20 min
97.0 30 min 10 min
100.0 15 min 5 min
101.8 10 min 3 min
104.8 5 min 1½ min
111.8 1 min 20 sec
114.8 30 sec 10 sec
Over 115 No exposure? No exposure?

The calculations performed in this spreadsheet are based on the following equation taken from O.Reg
381/15 found at: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/150381

where,
       Lex,8     is the equivalent sound exposure level in 8 hours,
           ∑    is the sum of the values in the enclosed expression for all activities from i = 1 to i = n,
             i    is a discrete activity of a worker exposed to a sound level,
            ti     is the duration in hours of i,
      SPLi    is the sound level of i in dBA,
            n    is the total number of discrete activities in the worker’s total workday

Questions or comments regarding this calculator should be forwarded to John Oudyk at 1-800-263-2129
duced hearing loss