Are Cicadas Loud Enough to Cause Hearing Loss?

For many Americans, the pulsing buzz of cicadas is the background sound of the summer — and in some areas it's more than a dull hum.

There are two distinct types of cicadas: annual cicadas and periodical cicadas. Annual cicadas, as the name suggests, emerge every year to climb up trees, shed their shells, mate, and promptly die. Periodical cicadas behave much the same but emerge only every 13 or 17 years.

Years in which multiple broods of periodical cicadas all emerge at the same time is when things get interesting. This year has been one of those years in the Midwest.
Between Brood XIII, which emerges every 17 years in northern Illinois, and Brood XIX, which is on a 13-year cycle in southern Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and much of the Southeastern United States, this year saw (and heard) potentially trillions of cicadas.
With that many of an insect known for producing loud, continuous noise, it’s worth asking: can all this cicada noise be causing hearing damage?

How Loud are Cicadas?

The general rule of thumb is that prolonged exposure to noise that registers above 70dB can start to cause damage to your hearing. This is based on the EPA’s recommendations for prolonged exposure. So, a few minutes of 70dB background noise isn’t likely to cause serious hearing loss, but the risk rises as the length of exposure increases.

Cicada mating calls (which is what that buzzing noise they produce is) can reach up to 100dB, well into the hazardous range. However, volume alone doesn’t necessarily make noise hazardous. Distance, duration, and frequency of exposure are all important factors as well.

How Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Happens

Our ears are complex organs that translate vibrations in the air into electrical signals that our brains decode into what we perceive as sound. At a simplified level, there are tiny hair cells in our inner ears that can “pick up” different sound frequencies. Exposure to loud noises can damage these hairs over time, leading to hearing loss.

However, there are ways to reduce your risk. If you can manage your proximity to the source of a loud noise — like cicadas’ mating calls — the amount of time you spend around the noise, and how often, you can reduce your risk of hearing loss.

Proximity

As you’re probably aware, the further from the source of a noise you get, the quieter it sounds. According to the CDC, sound levels drop by about 6dB every time you double your distance from the source of a sound. So, while a cluster of cicadas may register at 100dB if you’re standing three feet away, if you step back three more feet, it drops to about 94dB. Stand 12 feet away and it’s down to 88dB.

Duration

A few decibels may not seem like much, but it can make a big difference when it comes to the amount of time you safely spend exposed to high decibel cicada noise.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has created guidelines regarding safe exposure durations at different average noise levels. Put simply, the safe amount of exposure time doubles with every 3dB drop in volume.

It’s clear that keeping some distance between your ears and particularly dense clusters of cicadas can make a big difference in how long you can safely be exposed to the cicada noise.

Frequency of Exposure

One of the great things about our bodies is that they’re self-repairing, and that includes the inner-ear hair cells responsible for our hearing. However, it’s not a perfect system. Each time they get damaged and repaired, they come back a little weaker. That’s why frequency of exposure is an important factor when assessing the risk for hearing loss. The more times you go out into the cicada cacophony, the more risk you’re taking on.

How to Minimize Risk During Cicada Season

Cicadas, especially in large numbers, can produce noise at volumes that are potentially hazardous to human hearing. Those large numbers (and their important role in the ecosystem) mean that, for many Americans, that noise is simply a fact of life for a few months every year. Here are a few simple steps you can take every year to protect your hearing from potential damage.

Be aware. Understanding the basics of sound-related hearing loss is a great foundation. You can also install a sound meter app on your smartphone so you can check the noise level of your surroundings and get a sense for how long you can safely remain in that environment.
Limit your exposure. During the height of cicada season, you should keep walks and other outdoor activities in cicada-dense areas shorter and less frequent. Cicadas also tend to be louder during warm daylight hours, so consider postponing some activities until after sunset, if possible, especially if you’ve already had periods of high-volume exposure.
Protect your ears. There’s no shame in playing defense. If you know you’re likely to be exposed to cicadas for an extended period, consider bringing some earplugs. Provided you don’t play the audio too loud, and they fit properly, some earpod-style headphones may also help protect your ears, though earplugs provide better protection.

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