Although the sound of snoring doesn't usually awaken the snorer, the noise can be harmful beyond just keeping the rest of the family awake.

There's evidence that loud snoring causes hearing damage.

The loudest snore ever recorded was over 90 decibels (dB). Most snoring is between 60 and 90 dB.

To put that level of sound into perspective, here are the average decibels of other commonly heard noises:

• chainsaw - 110 dB
• jackhammer - 100 dB
• vacuum cleaner - 80 dB
• heavy automobile traffic - 70 dB

Damage to hearing occurs in the 80 to 90 dB range, and 120 dB can perforate the eardrum.

Loud snorers and their families are often advised to wear earplugs to bed, but many of the most common types of earplugs block only 20 to 35 dB of sound.