How Loud Is "Loud"
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The loudness of sound is measured in decibels.
On the decibel scale, the smallest audible sound is 0 dB. A sound that is 10 times more powerful would be measured at 10 dB. A sound that is 100 times more powerful than total silence would be 20 dB. A sound that is 1,000 louder than silence would be measured at 30 dB.
The professionals at Advanced Hearing Aid Clinic and Advanced Hearing and Balance Institute recommend that earplugs are used when an individual is exposed to sound levels of 85 dB and above.
Faint |
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Near-total Silence | 0 dB |
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| Quiet Whisper | 15 dB | ||
| Ticking Watch | 20 dB | ||
| Quiet Library | 30 dB | ||
| Average Whisper | 30 dB | ||
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Moderate |
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| Hum of a Refrigerator | 40 dB | ||
| Quiet Room | 40 dB | ||
| Moderate Rainfall | 50 dB | ||
Loud |
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Normal Conversation | 60 dB | |
| Dishwasher | 60 dB | ||
| Sewing Machine | 60 dB | ||
| Washing Machine | 70 dB | ||
| Vacuum Cleaner | 70 dB | ||
| Alarm Clock (two feet away) | 80 dB | ||
| Busy Street | 80 dB | ||
| Average Traffic | 85 dB | ||
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Extremely Loud |
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| Lawnmower | 90 dB | ||
| Shop Tools, Truck Traffic | 90 dB | ||
| MRI | 95 dB | ||
| Blow Dryer/Subway Train | 100 dB | ||
| Snowmobile, Pneumatic Drill | 100 dB | ||
| Power Mower/Chainsaw | 105 dB | ||
| Tympani and Base Drum Rolls | 106 dB | ||
| Rock Music (Stereo) | 110 dB | ||
| Model Airplane | 110 dB | ||
| Screaming Child | 110 dB | ||
| Car Horn | 110 dB | ||
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Painfully Loud |
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Rock Concert/Loud Thunder | 120 dB |
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| Amplified Rock Music (4-6 feet away), Band Practice | 120 dB | ||
| Car Stereo at Near Full Volume | 120 dB | ||
| Jackhammer/Jet of a Commercial plane (from 110 feet) | 130 dB | ||
| Gunshot or Firecracker | 140 dB | ||
| Air Raid Siren | 140 dB | ||
| Peak of Rock Music | 150 dB |
The above sound levels are approximations. The distance from the source of the sound will affect the measurements. Unless indicated, the sound levels were measured while standing near to the source of the sound.
For a comprehensive overview of Noise and Hearing Loss, see other information posted on this website.
1354 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3C3
296 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1S2
info@advancedhearingaidclinic.com© 2006. Advanced Hearing Aid Clinic Inc. All rights reserved.