How loud is an airbag going off?
Airbag deployment is an impulse of about 165 dB peak for a frontal airbag system, and peak pressures of 167 to 173 dB were measured at the driver and passenger positions of a pickup truck. A clinical review reports the peak may exceed 170 dB.
- Level
- 165–173 dB peakunweighted peak sound pressure level
- Daily limit
- No safe unprotected exposureimpulse noise
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Peak pressures inside vehicles at occupant ear positions: about 165 dB for a frontal airbag system (AAAM 2003 study), 167 to 173 dB measured at driver and passenger positions in a pickup truck (1999 study).
An airbag must fill before the occupant moves forward, so the gas inflates it within a crash that is over in less than 200 milliseconds. The pressure wave has a low-frequency part (3 to 5 Hz) from the bag filling the closed cabin like a piston, with higher frequencies from the folds popping and gas rushing through the manifold.
In the 1999 study, measurements were taken with doors open, compartment closed and compartment sealed; peaks ranged from 167 to 173 dB. Clinicians have reported hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems after deployments, though permanent hearing loss appears rare.
How dangerous is a 165–173 dB peak?
A peak of 173 dB is at or above 140 dB, the impulse limit used by NIOSH and OSHA and the EU and UK exposure limit value. A single exposure at close range can damage hearing.
| Rule | Peak limit | This sound |
|---|---|---|
| UK and EU lower exposure action value | 135 dB(C) | Above |
| UK and EU upper exposure action value | 137 dB(C) | Above |
| UK and EU exposure limit value; NIOSH and OSHA impulse ceiling | 140 dB | Above |
Protecting your hearing
Nothing practical: the airbag's benefit far outweighs the noise. Seek a hearing check if ringing or muffled hearing persists after a crash.
Earplug and earmuff ratings (NRR in the US, SNR in the UK and EU) are lab figures; real-world protection is usually lower. How to read the ratings.
Questions
How many decibels is an airbag?
About 165 to 173 dB peak at the occupants' ears, according to vehicle measurements.
Can an airbag damage your hearing?
It can: clinicians report hearing loss and tinnitus after deployments, although permanent loss appears rare.
Sources
- Investigation into the noise associated with airbag deployment: part III - sound pressure level and auditory risk as a function of inflatable device, Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (2003), via PMC. Supports: dB_low: ~165 dB.
this necessitates extremely rapid filling of the airbag (frontal airbag system ~165 dB)
Checked 2026-11-03. - Investigation into the noise associated with airbag deployment: part III - sound pressure level and auditory risk as a function of inflatable device, Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (2003), via PMC. Supports: body: 3-5 Hz.
The low frequency wave at 3–5 Hz is due to the gas filling the airbag, which acts like a piston in the closed passenger compartment
Checked 2026-11-03. - Investigation into the noise associated with airbag deployment: part III - sound pressure level and auditory risk as a function of inflatable device, Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (2003), via PMC. Supports: body: under 200 ms.
Since a typical crash (~145 dB) is over in less than 200 milliseconds
Checked 2026-11-03. - Auditory hazard from airbag noise exposure, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (1999), PubMed abstract. Supports: dB_high: 173 dB.
Peak pressures ranged from 167 to 173 dB
Checked 2026-11-03. - Automobile airbag impulse noise: otologic symptoms in six patients, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (1998), PubMed abstract. Supports: summary: may exceed 170 dB.
the peak amplitude of this noise may exceed 170 dB sound pressure level
Checked 2026-11-03.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have ringing in your ears, muffled hearing or any change in your hearing, see an audiologist or your doctor.