How Loud Is Too Loud: Decibel levels of common sounds
Mar 7th, 2007 | By Steve | Category: Information
Noise is measured in units called decibels, on a scale from zero to 140. The higher the number in decibels, the louder the noise. The louder the noise, the greater the risk of hearing loss. Hearing loss can occur with regular exposure to noise levels of 110 decibels or more for periods longer than one minute. No more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to 100 decibels is recommended.
Here is a list of common noises and their decibel levels:
- Aircraft at take-off (180)
- Fireworks (140)
- Snowmobile (120)
- Chain saw (110)
- Amplified music (110)
- Lawn mower (90)
- Noisy office (90)
- Vacuum cleaner (80)
- City traffic (80)
- Normal conversation (60)
- Refrigerator humming (40)
- Whisper (20)
Noise levels of 130 decibels or over will be painful and is very likely to cause immediate hearing damage.
so if i have a 37dB computer case fan…will it be annoying?
You will certainly be able to hear it but it will probably become “background noise” after a short while and it won’t bother you.
When my fan gets too noisy I open up the PC and brush the dust from the fan - that helps for a while.
How loud do you think that a regular cooling fan in a house is that’s at medium speed? Is it harmful for your ears? Thank-you for your help.
What are the decibel levels of a boombox at full volume and medium volume?
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How loud is 5 decibels? Our neighbour is building a new house very close to our apartment building. He will have 9 airconditioners (!!!) on his roof. Council regulations require that the noise be no louder than 5 decibels, but I have no idea how loud that will be.
Hi Jacki,
A person whispering is around 20 decibels so 5 decibels is going to be very quiet!