Tutor handbook 2009-2010 Contents Page

But how loud is 80 decibels?

1. 
   20 dB(A) is a quiet room at night, whispering, rustling leaves.
   
2. 
   60 dB(A) is ordinary spoken conversation.
   
3. 
   80 dB(A) is shouting.
   
4. 
   80 – 110 dB(A) is a night club.
   
5. 
   110 dB(A) is a pneumatic drill nearby.
   
6. 
   110-120 dB(A) is a rock concert.
   
7. 
   130 dB(A) is an aeroplane taking off 100m away.
   
8. 
   140 dB(A) is the threshold at which noise is painful to listen to for most people, although some people may find lower levels painful too.
   

Put simply, if you can’t talk to people two metres away without shouting it means the noise level is dangerous and you should take precautions to protect your hearing.