Is a Mosque's 100dB Sound System Safe for Hearing?

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas recently issued a circular regulating the use of loudspeakers in mosques and prayer rooms (February 21st).

The regulation, among other things, sets the maximum volume limit for mosque loudspeakers at 100 decibels (dB). But how loud is 100 dB?

Citing audiologyassociates.com, here's an overview of the decibel levels of everyday sounds, along with the safe listening duration limits:

1. Everyday conversation (30 dB): no limit
2. Air conditioner and heavy traffic noise (80–85 dB): maximum safe limit of 2 hours
3. Motorcycle exhaust (90–95 dB): maximum safe limit of 50 minutes
4. Approaching train or medium-scale sporting event (100 dB): maximum safe limit of 15 minutes
5. Earphones at full volume (110 dB): maximum safe limit of 5 minutes
6. Rock music concert (120 dB): can immediately damage hearing

Sounds Above 90 dB Can Cause Ear Pain

According to audiologyassociates.com, high-decibel sounds have the potential to reduce hearing quality. However, this is often overlooked because the effects are not immediately felt, and symptoms only appear in the long term.

Generally, a sound level of 30 dB is safe for human ears, such as the sound of people talking.

Sounds above 90 dB can cause ear pain and damage the hearing system if listened to for a long duration.

According to the Decree of the Minister of State for the Environment KEP-48/MENLH/11/1996 concerning noise standards, the noise limit in places of worship or similar is set at 55 dB.

(Also Read: Indonesia's Largest Mosques, Can Accommodate Up to 200,000 Worshippers)