Generic
Decibel Chart: Essential Guide to Sound Levels & What They Really Mean
By Team Hearzap | May 13, 2025
Understanding how loud different sounds are is crucial for protecting your hearing and reducing noise pollution. That’s where the decibel chart (or dB chart) comes in. Whether you're curious about how loud 20 decibels is, wondering if your workplace is too noisy at 50 dB, or want to understand the risks of 120 dB environments, we'll break it all down clearly.
What Is a Decibel?
A decibel (dB) is a unit that measures the intensity of sound. The dB scale is logarithmic, which means that every increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity. For example, a sound that measures 40 dB is ten times more intense than one that measures 30 dB.
This scaling helps us represent both very quiet sounds, like rustling leaves, and extremely loud ones, like jet engines, on a single chart.
Understanding The Sound Levels
The decibel chart or dB chart is used to visually represent how loud different sounds are. Here's a breakdown of sound levels with real life examples and explanations for commonly searched queries:
Sound Level (dB) | Description | Example |
| 0 dB | Threshold of hearing | The quietest sound the average human ear can detect, is typically around 0 decibels and is considered barely audible. |
| 10 dB | Extremely quiet | Sounds of breathing and the rustling of leaves. |
| 20 dB | Very quiet | The whispers in a quiet room or the distant birdsong, show how loud is 20 decibels. |
| 30 dB | Whisper quiet | Soft whispers in a library setting, show how loud is 30 decibels. |
| 40 dB | Low noise level | Quiet conversations, background music, reflect how loud 40 decibels is. |
| 50 dB | Moderate noise | Sounds of moderate rainfall, a quiet office, represent how loud is 50 decibels. |
| 60 dB | Normal conversation | This shows how many decibels a normal conversation or an ambient chatter in a café have. |
| 70 dB | Loud | Sounds of a vacuum cleaner or a busy street. |
| 80 dB | Very loud | Sounds of heavy traffic and noisy restaurant. |
| 90 dB | Potentially harmful | Prolonged exposure to the sounds of a lawnmower can damage hearing. |
| 100 dB | Extremely loud | Sounds of a jackhammer or a motorcycle. |
| 110 dB | Painfully loud | Sounds at the nightclub and the concert. |
| 120 dB | Threshold of pain | Sounds made when a jet engine takes off are at a painful level that shows how loud 120 decibels is. |
| 130 dB | Instant hearing damage | Sounds of emergency sirens or fireworks at close range. |
| 140 dB | Immediate hearing loss | Sounds of gunshots or rock concerts can cause an immediate hearing damage. |
Why Understanding the Decibel Chart Matter
- Hearing Protection- The prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can damage your hearing. Understanding how many decibels is in a normal conversation, typically around 60 dB, helps you determine when hearing protection might be necessary, especially in environments where noise levels exceed safe limits.
- Noise Pollution- Using a dB chart, we can measure and monitor environmental noise. Constant exposure to high decibel settings such as those above 120 dB, can contribute to stress, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. Recognizing these levels helps in controlling noise pollution for better health and well being.
- Sound Quality- Whether you're adjusting home audio equipment or mixing tracks in a studio, the decibel chart ensures accurate sound levels. It helps maintain clarity and prevent distortion, especially when dealing with a range of sound intensities, from 50 dB sound samples to louder outputs.
Tips to Stay Safe Around Loud Sounds
- Use hearing protection- Earplugs or noise canceling headphones are essential in environments above 85dB.
- Limit exposure- The louder the environment, the less time you should spend there without protection.
- Monitor noise levels- Use a sound level meter app to check your surroundings.
The decibel chart is a powerful tool to understand the world of sound. From understanding how loud is 20 decibels to evaluating a 50 dB sound sample, using a dB chart allows you to stay aware of noise levels and protect your hearing. Next time you’re in a loud environment, refer to this guide and take control of your soundscape.
Contact us
We are here for all your hearing needs, from hearing tests to hearing aids. Fill out the form below, and we will give you a call soon.
Recent Blogs
By Team Hearzap | May 13, 2025
By Team Hearzap | May 13, 2025
By Team Hearzap | May 5, 2025
By Team Hearzap | May 5, 2025
By Team Hearzap | April 29, 2025
