Utilize the Noise app on your Apple Watch to enable Noise notifications that will alert you when the sound levels in your surroundings could potentially impact your hearing.
How Noise notifications function
Your Apple Watch will periodically measure the sound levels throughout the day while you’re wearing it. This measurement utilizes the microphone but does not record or store any sounds. If the average sound level over a three-minute period reaches or surpasses your chosen decibel threshold, your Apple Watch can send you a notification.
How to turn on Noise notifications
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap the “My Watch” tab, then select “Noise.”
- Tap “Noise Threshold” and choose a decibel level. You can also adjust the notifications directly from your Apple Watch by going to Settings > Noise.
How to turn off Noise notifications
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap the “My Watch” tab, then select “Noise.”
- Tap “Noise Threshold,” then choose “Off.” You can also adjust the notifications directly from your Apple Watch by going to Settings > Noise.
How to measure the sound levels around you
After setting up the Noise app, you can open the app on your Apple Watch to measure the sound levels in your vicinity. You can also add a Noise complication to your watch face for a quick glance at this information. Additionally, you can check Environmental Sound Levels, Headphone Audio Levels, and Noise Notifications in the Hearing category of the Health app on your iPhone.
“Important information to be aware of:
· Sound levels are measured in A-weighted decibels.
· Long-term exposure to sounds below 80 decibels should not affect your hearing. Sounds measured at this level appear as OK in the app.
· Repeated, long-term exposure to sounds above 80 decibels can lead to permanent damage. Consider using hearing protection or moving to a quieter area. Sounds measured at this level appear as Loud in the app.
· 80 decibels: Around 5 hours and 30 minutes a day at this level can cause temporary hearing loss. The weekly limit at this level is 40 hours.
· 85 decibels: Around 1 hour and 45 minutes a day at this level can cause temporary hearing loss. The weekly limit at this level is around 12 hours and 30 minutes.
· 90 decibels: Around 30 minutes a day at this level can cause temporary hearing loss. The weekly limit at this level is 4 hours.
· 95 decibels: Just 10 minutes a day at this level can cause temporary hearing loss. The weekly limit at this level is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
· 100 decibels: Even a few minutes a day at this level can cause temporary hearing loss. The weekly limit at this level is around 20 minutes.
· Water and wind can affect the accuracy of sound levels. Consider using Water Lock while in water-based activities.
· Measurements are suspended when Apple Watch is in Water Lock or while the microphone or speaker is in use.”