3
SOUND
NOISE LEVEL
(dB)
EFFECT
Whisper
30
Very quiet
Quiet Of
fi
ce
50-60
Comfortable hearing levels
are under
60 dB
Vacuum Cleaner,
Hair Dryer
70
Intrusive; interferes with
telephone conversations
Food Blender
85-90
85
dB is the level at which hearing
damage (8 hr) begins
Dustbin Lorry,
Cement Mixer
100
No more than 15 minutes
of unprotected exposure
recommended for sounds between
90-100
dB
Power Saw,
Drill/Jackhammer
110
Regular exposure to sound over
100
dB of more than 1
minute risks
permanent hearing loss
Rock Concert (varies)
110-140
Threshold of pain begins
around 125
dB
* Chart information from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/education/teachers/pages/common_sounds.aspx
UK English
This decibel (dB) table compares some common sounds and shows how they
rank in potential harm to hearing.