Decibel levels for reference:

[BrandonLSU]

I was going to put this in another thread but figured I would be helpful otherwise. I looked for a chart to directly compare suppressor brands results in center-fire and rim-fire but I'm tired and my Google-fu is weak tonight! Maybe I'll add more later.....
*pulled & edited from various internet sources*
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Home & Yard Appliances
0 - healthy hearing threshold
10 - a pin dropping
20 - rustling leaves
30 - whisper
40 - computer
50 - light traffic, refrigerator
60 - conversation, air conditioner
70 - shower, dishwasher
75 - toilet flushing, vacuum cleaner
80 - alarm clock, garbage disposal
85 - diesel truck, snow blower
90 - dog toy, lawn mower, arc welder
95 - food processor, belt sander
100 - motorcycle (riding), drill
105 - sporting event, table saw
110 - concert, jackhammer
115 - police siren, riveter, suppressed .22 lr pistol
120 - thunder, oxygen torch
125 - balloon popping, .300 blk suppressed (9" bbl)
130 - peak stadium crowd noise
135 - air raid siren
140 - jet engine
145 - firecracker
150 - fighter jet launch
155 - .22 lr pistol
160 - shotgun
165 - .357 magnum revolver
170 - airbag
175 - cannon
180 - rocket
...
194 - sound waves become shock waves
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90 dB sound at 1 meter, the distances are in meters:

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No. of hours exposed Sound level dB
8 - 90
6 - 92
4 - 95
3 - 97
2 -100
1.5 - 102
1 - 105
0.5 - 110
0.25 or less - 115

 

[Hitman]

and on Average an LSU Night Game in Death Valley reaches 117 DB.

 

[TomTerrific]

The chart is misleading in a way as there is no such thing as 0dB. dB are a ratio of sound pressure levels. There's more to it than that, but you get the idea. They are on a logarithmic scale like the Richter.

Also, impact noise, like gun shots, have different effects on our hearing than continuous noise.

I wonder who measured the spl inside a tornado?

 

[jro6803]

.........

I wonder who measured the spl inside a tornado?

Chuck Norris?

 

[themcfarland]

The chart is misleading in a way as there is no such thing as 0dB. dB are a ratio of sound pressure levels. There's more to it than that, but you get the idea. They are on a logarithmic scale like the Richter.

Also, impact noise, like gun shots, have different effects on our hearing than continuous noise.

I wonder who measured the spl inside a tornado?

Good point, 131 db is TEN TIMES Louder than 130 DB.

 

[BrandonLSU]

Sorry, I assumed everyone knew that dB were logarithmic.
The below two charts show the same data where the one on the left would be our hearing as a baseline and sound pressure being the log function. This is an easier chart to understand how pressure increases, the second chart is plotting of dB in a linear chart because dB are calculated in a logarithmic function so they plot linear on a chart.

 

[Slim]

Inside my truck read 134 at Mobile one.......

 

[BrandonLSU]

Here is a likely Obama voter with a video explanation:

 

[jjss]

I have a term project power point i'm putting together on hearing conservation....has a lot of good drawings about teh physiological aspect of hearing loss if you want to see it

 

[themcfarland]

Done many sound tests at tracks and plants over the years.. Very good topic..

 

[TomTerrific]

Good point, 131 db is TEN TIMES Louder than 130 DB.

No. It's more complicated than that.

As a rule of thumb, there is 5dB doubling. 95dB is twice the level of 90. Also, it's "deci" a tenth of, so you move the decimal over one to the left. 100dB would be 10x 90dB.

See Brandon's chart. Our ears don't respond linearly to sound level. Same with our eyes and brightness.

Also, note his original chart was for occupational exposure. We had 12hr shifts and any area over 85dB(A) required hearing protection. The (A) indicates weighting for the ear's response to different frequencies.