How loud is a trumpet? 86–108 dBA

What the numbers mean

How it was measured. HSE representative level range for trumpet at 3 m, plus ear-level LAeq of brass players in symphony orchestras.

The trumpet's bell points forward, so players in front of the brass section often get more of it than the trumpeter. HSE lists the trumpet at 88 to 108 dB at 3 m with peaks of 113 dB, and uses 88 dB as a typical symphony level for a trumpet, at which a player reaches the 85 dB daily action value in 4 hours.

In Danish symphony orchestras, the highest LAeq, 86 to 98 dB, was found among brass players, and a related study found that trumpet players had significantly elevated hearing thresholds compared with other musicians.

How long is safe?

NIOSH recommends no more than 2 min 22 s a day at 108 dBA (6 h 21 min at 86). OSHA's legal limit is 40 min.

Level	NIOSH limit (85 dBA, 3 dB rule)	OSHA limit (90 dBA, 5 dB rule)	UK/EU 80 dB(A) action value reached after	UK/EU 85 dB(A) action value reached after
86 dBA	6 h 21 min	No limit	2 h 1 min	6 h 21 min
108 dBA	2 min 22 s	40 min	46 s	2 min 24 s

Times are for a whole day’s exposure, with the rest of the day quiet. The workplace limits were written for adults at work, not for children. Work out a mixed day with the noise dose calculator.

Protecting your hearing

Trumpeters and the players in front of them benefit from musician's earplugs. Risers, keeping bells clear of other players' heads, and quieter practice with a mute all reduce exposure.

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.

Compared with sounds nearby

Using midpoints of each range. Energy multiplies by 10 every 10 dB; perceived loudness roughly doubles (why).

Symphony orchestra (86–102 dBA): this has about 2× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
Strimmer (string trimmer) (87.9–101.5 dBA): this has about 1.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
Circular saw (89–110.4 dBA): it has about 1.9× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
Hand dryer (80–121 dBA max): it has about 2.2× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 2,818× its energy and sounds about 10.9× as loud.

Questions

Does playing the trumpet damage hearing?

A study of five Danish symphony orchestras found trumpet players had significantly elevated hearing thresholds compared with other musicians.

How long can a trumpeter play safely?

HSE estimates that at a typical symphony level of 88 dB, a trumpet player reaches the 85 dB daily action value in 4 hours.

Sources

Sound advice: Control of noise at work in music and entertainment (HSG260), Health and Safety Executive (UK). Supports: 88-108 dB at 3 m, peak 113.Trumpet 88–108* 113Checked 2026-11-02.
Sound advice: Control of noise at work in music and entertainment (HSG260), Health and Safety Executive (UK). Supports: 88 dB, 4 hours to 85 dB action value.88 4 hours eg trumpetChecked 2026-11-02.
Sound exposure of symphony orchestra musicians, Annals of Occupational Hygiene (2011). Supports: dB_low: brass 86-98 dB.The highest L(Aeq) of 86 -98 dB was found among the brass players.Checked 2026-11-02.
Hearing loss in relation to sound exposure of professional symphony orchestra musicians, Ear and Hearing (2014). Supports: trumpeters' elevated thresholds.Trumpet players and the left ear of first violinists had significantly elevated hearing thresholds compared with other musicians.Checked 2026-11-02.

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.