Common Noise Levels & Reactions
- Activities
Noise Level, dB(A) |
Apparent Loudness |
Typical Reaction |
|
|
Military Jet, Air Raid
Siren |
130 |
64 times
as loud |
Limited
Amplified
Speech |
|
Amplified Rock Music |
110 |
16 times
as loud |
Maximum
Vocal Effort |
|
Jet Takeoff @ 500m, Train Horn @ 30m |
100 |
8 times
as loud |
- |
|
Freight Train @ 15m |
95 |
- |
- |
|
Heavy
Truck @ 15m, Busy City Street, Loud Shout |
90 |
4 times
as loud |
Very
Annoying, Hearing Damage (8 hours) |
|
Busy
Traffic Intersection, Highway Construction Site |
80 |
2 times
as loud |
Annoying |
|
Highway
Traffic @ 15m, Roadside Traffic,
Train Horn @ 500m, Noisy Restaurant |
70 |
Base
Reference |
Telephone
Use Difficult |
|
Predominantly Industrial Area, Light Car Traffic @ 15m, City or
Commercial Areas, Outdoor Recreation, Residential Areas Close to
Industry, Noisy Office |
60 |
1/2 as
loud |
Intrusive |
|
Quiet Office |
50 |
1/4 as
loud |
Speech
Interference |
|
Suburban
Area w/medium transportation density, Kitchen/Bathroom |
40 |
1/8 as
loud |
Quiet |
|
Public
Library, Living/Dining/Bedroom |
30 |
1/16 as
loud |
Very
Quiet |
|
Soft Whisper @ 5m |
10 |
1/64 as
loud |
Just
Audible |
|
Threshold of Hearing |
0 |
N/A |
Not
Audible |
|
