Do you still like to put your fingers in your ears when you know a balloon is about to pop? You are actually quite right.
According to Canadian research, the sound of a popping balloon is similar to the sound of a shotgun. And yes, that can indeed be harmful to your hearing. When you inflate a balloon until it pops, the sound is the loudest at 168 decibels. If a balloon is punctured, the sound is between 155 and 159 decibels. A shotgun produces a sound of 161 decibels.
How much noise is bad for your ears?
Canadian guidelines advise against exposing yourself to sounds higher than 140 decibels. In the Netherlands, the standard is 120 decibels. Sounds between 80 and 120 decibels can be harmful, depending on how long you're exposed to them.
