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 |
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 |
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%.