Decibel (Loudness) Comparison Chart Page 2
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1
2Perceptions 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 of 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 & bass drum
106dB
Walkman on 5/10
94dB
Symphonic music peak
120 - 137dB
Amplifier rock, 4-6'
120dB
Rock music peak
150dB
NOTES:
One-third of the total power of a 75-piece orchestra comes from the bass drum.
•
High frequency sounds of 2-4,000 Hz are the most damaging. The uppermost octave of the piccolo is 2,048-4,096 Hz.
•
Aging causes gradual hearing loss, mostly in the high frequencies.
•
Speech reception is not seriously impaired until there is about 30 dB loss; by that time severe damage may have occurred.
•
Hypertension and various psychological difficulties can be related to noise exposure.
•
The incidence of hearing loss in classical musicians has been estimated at 4-43%, in rock musicians 13-30%.
•
Statistics for the Decibel (Loudness) Comparison Chart were taken from a study by Marshall Chasin , M.Sc., Aud(C), FAAA,
Centre for Human Performance & Health, Ontario, Canada. There were some conflicting readings and, in many cases,
authors did not specify at what distance the readings were taken or what the musician was actually playing. In general, when
there were several readings, the higher one was chosen.
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