Decibels

Alternate Terms:
  • dB
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Decibels Definition by Healthwise:

Decibels (dB)

A decibel (dB) is a unit used to measure how loud a sound is (intensity). For example, a whisper usually measures about 15 to 30 dB, a vacuum cleaner about 75 dB, and a motorcycle about 100 dB. Any sound over 85 dB is considered harmful.

Author: Jeannette Curtis
Medical Review: Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated: May 25, 2007

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