How loud is an amusement arcade?
Amusement arcade games measure about 83 to 89 dBA at the player's ear. A study of five large arcades in China recorded LAeq levels from 83.05 to 89.4 dBA across 40 samples of typical game noise.
- Level
- 83–89.4 dBAA-weighted sound level
- Daily limit
- 2 h 54 min a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 236× energyabout 5.2× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. LAeq of 40 samples of game noise in five large amusement arcades in China, with the sound level meter positioned near the player's ear.
Researchers held a sound level meter near players' ears while they played four kinds of typical game in five arcades, logging the level every five minutes. Levels ranged from 83.05 to 89.4 dBA, and the authors say most arcades exceeded US EPA recommended exposure limits.
Players knew it was loud, but many did not see a risk: 61.9% said the games were noisy or very noisy, while 63.5% did not know or did not think the noise could cause hearing loss.
How long is safe?
NIOSH recommends no more than 2 h 54 min a day at 89.4 dBA (no limit at the quiet end, 83). OSHA's legal limit is not reached below 90 dBA.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 dBA | No limit | No limit | 3 h 58 min | Not reached in 24 h |
| 89.4 dBA | 2 h 54 min | No limit | 55 min | 2 h 54 min |
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.
Children
Arcades are popular with children and teenagers, who often spend long sessions there; quieter areas and shorter visits reduce their dose.
Protecting your hearing
Take breaks in quieter parts of the arcade, avoid standing between several loud machines, and keep visits short.
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).
- Power drill (73–94 dBA): this has about 1.9× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Reciprocating saw (84 dBA): this has about 1.7× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Jet take-off (76.8–100.5 dBA max): it has about 1.7× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Gym fitness class (85.6–93.1 dBA): it has about 2.1× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 236× its energy and sounds about 5.2× as loud.
Questions
Are arcades loud enough to harm hearing?
Measured levels were 83.05 to 89.4 dBA at players' ears, and the authors say most arcades exceeded EPA recommended limits.
Do arcade players think the noise is a problem?
61.9% of young players surveyed said the games were noisy or very noisy, but many did not know the noise could cause hearing loss.
Sources
- Assessment of Noise Exposure and Risk of Hearing Loss for Young People in Amusement Arcades, Noise & Health (2024). Supports: 83.05-89.4 dBA.
The level of the noise samples ranged from 83.05 to 89.4 dBA.
Checked 2026-11-02. - Assessment of Noise Exposure and Risk of Hearing Loss for Young People in Amusement Arcades, Noise & Health (2024). Supports: measurement position.
The sound meter was positioned near the player’s ear for each measurement
Checked 2026-11-02. - Assessment of Noise Exposure and Risk of Hearing Loss for Young People in Amusement Arcades, Noise & Health (2024). Supports: 61.9% noisy.
61.9% of young people feel that the sound of video games is noisy or very noisy
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.