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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 heard |
0dB |
| Whisper Quiet Library at
6' |
30dB |
| Normal conversation at 3' |
60-65dB |
| Telephone dial tone |
80dB |
| City Traffic (inside car) |
85dB |
| Train whistle at 500',
Truck Traffic |
90dB |
| Jackhammer at 50' |
95dB |
| Subway train at 200' |
95dB |
| Level
at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss |
90
- 95dB |
| Hand Drill |
98dB |
| Power mower at 3' |
107dB |
| Snowmobile, Motorcycle |
100dB |
| Power saw at 3' |
110dB |
| Sandblasting, Loud Rock
Concert |
115dB |
| Pain
begins |
125dB |
| Pneumatic riveter at 4' |
125dB |
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Even short term exposure can cause permanent damage -
Loudest recommended exposure WITH hearing
protection |
140dB |
| Jet engine at 100' |
140dB |
| 12 Gauge Shotgun Blast |
165dB |
| Death of hearing tissue |
180dB |
| Loudest sound possible |
194dB |
| OSHA Daily
Permissible Noise Level Exposure |
| Hours per day |
Sound level |
| 8 |
90dB |
| 6 |
92dB |
| 4 |
95dB |
| 3 |
97dB |
| 2 |
100dB |
| 1.5 |
102dB |
| 1 |
105dB |
| .5 |
110dB |
| .25 or less |
115dB |
| NIOSH Daily
Permissible Noise Level Exposure |
| Hours per day |
Sound level |
| 8 |
85dBA |
| 6 |
86dBA |
| 4 |
88dBA |
| 3 |
89dBA |
| 2 |
90dBA |
| 1.5 |
92dBA |
| 1 |
94dBA |
| .5 |
97dBA |
| .25 or less |
100dBA |
| 0 |
112dBA |
| Perceptions
of Increases in Decibel Level |
| Imperceptible Change |
1dB |
| Barely Perceptible
Change |
3dB |
| Clearly Noticeable Change |
5dB |
| About Twice as Loud |
10dB |
| About Four Times as Loud |
20dB |
| Sound Levels
of Music |
| Normal piano practice |
60 -70dB |
| Fortissimo Singer, 3' |
70dB |
| Chamber music, small auditorium |
75 - 85dB |
| Piano Fortissimo |
84 - 103dB |
| Violin |
82 - 92dB |
| Cello |
85 -111dB |
| Oboe |
95-112dB |
| Flute |
92 -103dB |
| Piccolo |
90 -106dB |
| Clarinet |
85 - 114dB |
| French horn |
90 - 106dB |
| Trombone |
85 - 114dB |
| Tympani & bass drum |
106dB |
| Walkman on 5/10 |
94dB |
| Symphonic music peak |
120 - 137dB |
| Amplifier, rock, 4-6' |
120dB |
| Rock music peak |
150dB |
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%.
- Recent NIOSH studies of sound levels from weapons
fires have shown that they may range from a low of 144 dB
SPL for small caliber weapons such as a 0.22 caliber rifle
to as high as a 172 dB SPL for a 0.357 caliber revolver.
Double ear protection is recommended for shooters,
combining soft, insertable ear plugs and external ear
muffs.
Statistics for the Decibel (Loudness) Comparison Chart
were taken from a study by Marshall Chasin , M.Sc., Aud(C),
FAAA, Centre for Human Performance & Health, Ontario,
Canada. There were some conflicting readings and, in many
cases, authors did not specify at what distance the readings
were taken or what the musician was actually playing. In
general, when there were several readings, the higher one
was chosen.
Additional Resources
The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) -http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/
American
Tinnitus Association – Information and help
for those with tinnitus
Hear Tomorrow – The Hearing Conservation Workshop
H.E.A.R. – Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers
American Tinnitus Association – for musicians and music
lovers
Turn It to the Left – from the American Academy of
Audiology
Listen to Your Buds – from the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Binge Listening: Is exposure to leisure noise causing hearing
loss in young Australians? [pdf] – report from Australian
Hearing, National Acoustic Laboratories
Hearing Aids and Music: Interview with Marshall Chasin, AuD
– from the American Academy of Audiology
Safe Listening Resources – from the National Hearing
Conservation Association
OSHA Noise and
Hearing Conservation -
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