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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 |
| 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 earplugs 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)
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
Hearing Loss from Headphones - High potential for hearing loss
Turn It to the Left – from the American Academy of Audiology
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 - Occupational Health and Safety Administration