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 |
30dB |
| Normal conversation
(3-5') |
60-70dB |
| Telephone dial tone |
80dB |
| City Traffic
(inside car) |
85dB |
| Train whistle at
500', Truck Traffic |
90dB |
| Subway train at
200' |
95dB |
| SWAMP FEVER BAND
|
70dB -
105dB |
| Grand Piano |
84 - 103dB |
| Violin |
82 - 92dB |
| Cello |
85 -111dB |
| Oboe |
95-112dB |
| Flute |
92 -103dB |
| Piccolo |
90 -106dB |
| mike |
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 |
| |
|
| Level
at which sustained exposure may result in
hearing loss |
90
- 95dB |
| 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',
Gun Blast |
140dB |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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%.
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.
|
