Ever instinctively plug your ears before a balloon pops? That's a smart reflex. Research from Canada shows the sound of a bursting balloon rivals a shotgun blast and can indeed harm your hearing.
A fully inflated balloon exploding reaches 168 decibels—the peak intensity. Puncturing one produces 155 to 159 decibels, comparable to a shotgun's 161 decibels.
How loud is too loud for your ears?
Canadian guidelines warn against exposure over 140 decibels. In the Netherlands, the limit is 120 decibels. Sounds from 80 to 120 decibels can still cause damage, depending on duration.
