Some of the larger subwoofers we sell; SVS PB13 Plus, Velodyne DD18 and MJ Acoustics Ref 1 MkIII kick out some serious bass and can be safely driven to very loud decibel levels in most rooms. This prompted me to research what decibel levels are safe, what causes these noises in the domestic home. Luckily the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) has compiled a list of the decibel measurements (dBA) for common noises you might be exposed to each day at home, work or during recreational activities. A decibel is a unit that expresses intensity or power. So to see what your exposure is to unsafe noises with some of the following examples:
Home:
- 50 dBA – Refrigerator
- 50-80 dBA – Electric shaver
- 50-80 dBA – Electric shaver
- 60-95 dBA – Hair dryer
- 75-85 dBA – Flushed toilet
- 80 dBA – Ringing phone, Vacuum cleaner
- 110 dBA – Crying baby
- 135 dBA – Noisy squeeze toys
Work:
- 40 dBA – Quiet office/ library
- 65-95 dBA – Power lawnmower
- 90-115 dBA – Subway
- 105 dBA – Snow blower
- 120 dBA – Ambulance
- 140 dBA – Airplane take-off
- 180 dBA – Rocket launching from pad
Recreation:
- 70 dBA – Freeway traffic
- 90 dBA – Large restaurant
- 95-110 dBA – Motorcycle
- 100 dBA Personal stereo
- 110 dBA – Car horn
- 115 dBA – Night Club
- 117 dBA – Football game (stadium)
- 140 dBA – Gunshot
- 150 dBA – Firecracker
- 157 dBA – Balloon pop
- 170 dBA – Shotgun
Other:
- 0 dBA – Softest level the human can hear
- 10 dBA – Normal breathing
- 30 dBA – Whisper
- 60 dBA – Normal conversation
- 80 dBA – Shouting
- 105 – 120 dBA – Thunder
- 110 dBA– Shout in the ear, Climax to film Armageddon!!
And just for the record!
- 116-119 dBA – From 2 x SVS PB13 Ultra Subwoofers at Dolby Reference Level
But how much is too much?
NIOSH states that the maximum amount of time a person can be exposed to 85 dBA without experiencing hearing damage is 8 hours; this is the average level of noise a person hears every day. However, continuous exposure to 85 dBA beyond the 8-hour limit will cause hearing loss. If a person is exposed to level above 85 dBA, the risk of hearing loss increases in a shorter amount of time. The maximum time allowed for 110 dBA (e.g. a crying baby) is 1 minute 29 seconds. If a person is exposed to a noise that has a measurement of 140 dBA (e.g. airplane departure), immediate inner ear damage would result.
Hope this proved insightful and useful.
