May 20, 2009

Decibel (Loudness) Comparison Chart

Here are some interesting numbers, collected from a variety of sources, that help one to understand the volume levels of various sources and how they can affect our hearing.

Environmental Noise

Weakest sound heard0dBWhisper Quiet Library30dBNormal conversation (3-5’)60-70dBTelephone dial tone80dBCity Traffic (inside car)85dBTrain whistle at 500’, Truck Traffic90dBSubway train at 200’95dBLevel at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss90 - 95dBPower mower at 3’107dBSnowmobile, Motorcycle100dBPower saw at 3’110dBSandblasting, Loud Rock Concert115dBPain begins125dBPneumatic riveter at 4’125dBEven short term exposure can cause permanent damage - Loudest recommended exposure WITHhearing protection140dBJet engine at 100’, Gun Blast140dBDeath of hearing tissue180dBLoudest sound possible194dB

OSHA Daily Permissible Noise Level ExposureHours per daySound level890dB692dB495dB397dB2100dB1.5102dB1105dB.5110dB.25 or less115dB

Perceptions of Increases in Decibel LevelImperceptible Change1dB Barely Perceptible Change3dBClearly Noticeable Change5dBAbout Twice as Loud10dBAbout Four Times as Loud20dB

Sound Levels of MusicNormal piano practice60 -70dBFortissimo Singer, 3’70dBChamber music, small auditorium75 - 85dBPiano Fortissimo84 - 103dBViolin82 - 92dBCello85 -111dBOboe95-112dBFlute 92 -103dBPiccolo90 -106dBClarinet85 - 114dBFrench horn90 - 106dBTrombone85 - 114dBTympani & bass drum106dBWalkman on 5/1094dBSymphonic music peak120 - 137dBAmplifier rock, 4-6’120dBRock music peak150dB

NOTES:

  • One-third of the total power of a 75-piece orchestra comes from the bass drum.
  • High frequency sounds of 2-4,000 Hz are the most damaging. The uppermost octave of the piccolo is 2,048-4,096 Hz.
  • Aging causes gradual hearing loss, mostly in the high frequencies.
  • Speech reception is not seriously impaired until there is about 30 dB loss; by that time severe damage may have occurred.
  • Hypertension and various psychological difficulties can be related to noise exposure.
  • The incidence of hearing loss in classical musicians has been estimated at 4-43%, in rock musicians 13-30%.
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