Sound Levels and Human Response |
|
|
|
Common sounds |
Noise
Level
(dB) |
Effect |
|
|
|
Rocket launching pad (no ear protection) |
180 |
Irreversible hearing loss
|
Carrier deck jet operation
Air raid siren |
140 |
Painfully loud |
Thunderclap |
130 |
|
Jet takeoff (200 ft)
Auto horn (3 ft) |
120 |
Maximum vocal effort
|
Pile driver
Rock concert |
110 |
Extremely loud |
Garbage truck
Firecrackers |
100 |
Very loud |
Heavy truck (50 ft)
City traffic |
90 |
Very annoying
Hearing damage (8 Hrs)
|
Alarm clock (2 ft)
Hair dryer |
80 |
Annoying |
Noisy restaurant
Freeway traffic
Business office |
70 |
Telephone use difficult
|
Air conditioning unit
Conversational speech |
60 |
Intrusive |
Light auto traffic (100 ft) |
50 |
Quiet |
Living room
Bedroom
Quiet office |
40 |
|
Library
Soft whisper (15 ft) |
30 |
Very quiet |
Broadcasting studio |
20 |
|
|
10 |
Just audible |
|
0 |
Hearing begins |