Noise Charts as It Relates to Hearing Damage

Fun hearing facts collected from a variety of sources...

Environmental Noise
Weakest sound heard	0dB
Whisper Quiet Library at 6'	30dB
Normal conversation at 3'	60-65dB
Telephone dial tone	80dB
City Traffic (inside car)	85dB
Train whistle at 500', Truck Traffic	90dB
Jackhammer at 50'	95dB
Subway train at 200'	95dB
Level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss	90 - 95dB
Hand Drill	98dB
Power mower at 3'	107dB
Snowmobile, Motorcycle	100dB
Power saw at 3'	110dB
Sandblasting, Loud Rock Concert	115dB
Pain begins	125dB
Pneumatic riveter at 4'	125dB
Even short term exposure can cause permanent damage - Loudest recommended exposure WITH hearing protection	140dB
Jet engine at 100'	140dB
12 Gauge Shotgun Blast	165dB
Death of hearing tissue	180dB
Loudest sound possible	194dB

OSHA Daily Permissible Noise Level Exposure
Hours per day	Sound level
8	90dB
6	92dB
4	95dB
3	97dB
2	100dB
1.5	102dB
1	105dB
.5	110dB
.25 or less	115dB

Perceptions of Increases in Decibel Level
Imperceptible Change	1dB
Barely Perceptible Change	3dB
Clearly Noticeable Change	5dB
About Twice as Loud	10dB
About Four Times as Loud	20dB

Sound Levels Found in Music
Normal piano practice	60 -70dB
Fortissimo Singer, 3'	70dB
Chamber music, small auditorium	75 - 85dB
Piano Fortissimo	84 - 103dB
Violin	82 - 92dB
Cello	85 -111dB
Oboe	95-112dB
Flute	92 -103dB
Piccolo	90 -106dB
Clarinet	85 - 114dB
French horn	90 - 106dB
Trombone	85 - 114dB
Tympani and bass drum	106dB
Walkman on 5/10	94dB
Symphonic music peak	120 - 137dB
Amplifier, rock, 4-6'	120dB
Rock music peak	150dB

Sources:
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Binge Listening: Is exposure to leisure noise causing hearing loss in young Australians? [pdf] – Australian Hearing, National Acoustic Laboratories

Occupational Noise Exposure. OSHA