ENGLISH
SOUND
Whisper
Quiet Office
Vacuum Cleaner, Hair
Dryer
Food Blender
Garbage Truck, Cement
Mixer
Power Saw, Drill/
Jackhammer
Rock Concerts (varies)
*Chart information obtained from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/education/teachers/common_sounds.asp
NOISE LEVEL
(dB)
30
50-60
70
85-90
100
110
110-140
EFFECT
Very quiet
Comfortable hearing
levels are under 60 dB
Intrusive; interferes with
telephone conversations
85 dB is the level at
which hearing damage
(8 hrs.) begins
No more than 15
minutes of unprotected
exposure recommended
for sounds between
90-100 dB
Regular exposure to
sound over 100 dB of
more than 1 minute risks
permanent hearing loss
Threshold of pain begins
around 125dB
2