|
Sound levels and human response |
||
|
Common sounds |
Noise level (dB |
Effect |
|
Boom Cars |
145 |
Beyond threshold of pain (125 dB) |
|
Shotgun firing |
130 |
|
|
Rock concert (varies) |
110-140 |
|
|
Thunderclap (near) |
120 |
|
|
Stereos (over 100 watts) |
110-125 |
Regular exposure of more than 1 minute |
|
Chain saw |
110 |
No more than 15 minutes unprotected |
|
Symphony orchestra |
110 |
|
|
Snowmobile |
105 |
|
|
Jet fly-over (1,000 ft) |
103 |
|
|
Garbage truck/cement mixer |
100 |
|
|
Farm tractor |
98 |
Very annoying level at which hearing |
|
Newspaper press |
97 |
|
|
Subway, motorcycle |
90 |
|
|
Lawnmower, food blender |
85-90 |
Annoying, interferes with conversation |
|
Diesel truck (40 mph) |
84 |
|
|
Average city traffic noise |
80 |
|
|
Garbage disposal |
80 |
Intrusive, interferes with telephone use |
|
Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer |
70 |
|
|
Inside a car (loud engine) |
70 |
Comfortable (under 60 dB) |
|
Normal conversation |
50-65 |
|
|
Refrigerator humming |
40 |
|
|
Whisper |
30 |
Very quiet |
|
Rustling leaves |
20 |
|
|
Normal breathing |
10 |
Just audible |