Professional Tips: Measure Decibels

Question

A boy screeches at high levels into other children's ears, is he hurting their hearing?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

I'm in a duplex, and the neighbor's music is vibrating things off my wall. Is this too loud?

Community Answer

That is probably too loud, especially if it is bothering you.

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Question

My neighbor has a sound system in his garage that no one can hear but one person in my house. It causes a pressure in their head. What can it be?

Community Answer

That is quite odd if they are playing it quietly. It could be something completely unrelated to the sound system. Perhaps ask the neighbor to turn it off and see if your housemate still hears things.

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Question

How do I measure the decibel level of my stereo?

Community Answer

Using a decibel meter as shown above can give you some level of accuracy if you simply hold the meter up to the sound source.

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Question

How do I measure the decibel level of individuals in a conversation?

Community Answer

You can't really measure each individual without equipping everyone with separate microphones, but you can monitor the overall conversation level by using a phone app as outlined in Method 2, Step 2.

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Question

How can I ensure I am not exceeding the legal noise limit of 31dBA from 11pm to 7am if my decibel meter reads 35dBA in absolute silence in my living room?

Robbie de Groot

Community Answer

It depends on where and how you measure the dB(A). With a reading of 35dB(A) in your living room, it's likely that the sound level at your neighbors' place won't exceed 31dB(A).

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Question

Is 55 decibels too loud at night from a generator?

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Community Answer

In residential areas, noise levels should not exceed 55-65 decibels during the day and 45-55 decibels at night, so 55 decibels at night could disturb neighbors.

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Question

Does the distance of measurement influence the sound level?

Robbie de Groot

Community Answer

Definitely. Sound is the transfer of pressure, and it is highest at the source. As sound travels in a sphere from the origin, the pressure decreases with distance.

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Question

I am wondering how loud a noise would need to be to cause instant deafness for about 10 seconds, followed by tinnitus for 2-3 minutes, and temporary hearing loss for about 15 minutes.

Iris8989

Community Answer

Experts suggest that noise levels of 85 dB or higher can temporarily deafen you and cause tinnitus. Prolonged exposure to such loud noises can lead to permanent hearing damage, so it is unsafe to remain in very loud environments without hearing protection.

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Question

Can a decibel nanometer be used to trace audio from my phone calls?

BRA_ninjasuperwin

Community Answer

No, measuring decibels has nothing to do with audio tracing. A decibel nanometer is an external device that cannot digitally interact with your phone or upload its data.

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Question

What is the approximate decibel level when music played in an upstairs room causes the building to vibrate?

BRA_ninjasuperwin

Community Answer

A significant decibel level, likely around 100-110 dB, would be produced. However, this estimate depends heavily on the building's structure and the frequency of the sound. Vibrations, such as rattling, may also be significantly stronger on certain objects like glass tables.

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Question

Is it possible to measure the decibel level of my computer or phone's audio playback without using an external device or application?

Nikunj Chodvadiya

Community Answer

No, not reliably. While you can see your device's volume setting, this does not directly indicate the actual decibel level. True loudness depends on factors like the speakers, the audio content, and your distance from the device. Measuring the actual decibel level typically requires a microphone or an external sound-level meter.

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