NOISE FACTS AND GLOSSARY OF NOISE TERMS
What's a dB?
Sound intensity is measured in decibels
(dB). Our range of hearing starts at 0 dB and is considered safe up to 70 dB.
Over and above that level it is hazardous and can result in permanent hearing damage.
Noise Control - why do we need it?
- Government Regulations enforced by OSHA, State and Local laws
- Insurance carriers are applying pressure to companies due to hearing loss claims filed under workman's compensation laws.
- Productivity of employee. Prolonged exposure to loud environment cuts down productivity, creates stress and can lead to accidents.
- A 5-decibel reduction can cut the risk of hearing loss in half.
- The most common problem in a room is too much echo or reverberation. Too much echo can garble speech intelligibility and make music sound dreadful.
- In recording studios and broadcast facilities and echo free environment's required to guarantee speech clarity.
Some typical noises rated in decibels (dB)
| 155 dB
- A .30 Caliber Rifle Extreme Danger! |
|
140 dB - A Shotgun Blast/Jet Engine (at 30 m) Extreme Danger! |
| 110 dB - Rock Drill/Amplified Music | 120
dB - Propellor Aircraft Threshold of Pain |
|
| 90 dB - Lawn Mower/Heavy vehicle. Limit of exposure for 8 hrs | 130
dB - Riveting Hammer Threshold of Feeling |
|
| 80 dB - Computer Print Room | 100 dB - Chain Saw/Subway Station | |
| 60 dB - Conversation - moderate | 70 dB - Noisy Restaurant or Heavy Traffic | |
| 40 dB - Quiet Office | 20 dB - Buzzing Insect | |
| 30 dB - Quiet Whisper | 10 dB - Rustle of a Leaf | |
| 0
dB - No sound Threshold of Hearing |
Some facts about dB's
- Auditory nerves can be permanently damaged from prolonged exposure at 90 dB
- 120 dB can cause pain and ringing in the ear
- Sharp pain and extensive destruction of the auditory nerves occurs at 140 dB
- At 150 - 160 dB massive destruction of the auditory nerves and persistent ringing in the ears will occur immediately
For immediate service email: karen@bcm-sbd.comcastbiz.net