decibels
Volume measurement units
Decibels are units for measuring the intensity of sound or the power of an electrical signal.
The scale is logarithmic—each increase of ten decibels represents a tenfold increase in intensity.
Normal conversation runs about 60 decibels; a rock concert might hit 120.
Beyond technical use, decibels often just means volume or noise level: Can you turn down the decibels?
Amount of space filled
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
- deafeningOverwhelmingly loud
- earsplittingExtremely, painfully loud
- thunderousExtremely loud, resounding
roaring · blaring · booming · cacophony · din · piercing · shrill · clamorous
Rate of recurrence
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- soundwaveTraveling pressure disturbance
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
pitch · tone · vibration · echo · harmonics · timbre · attenuation · absorption
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- readingInterpreting written text
- gaugeStandard of measurement
meter · sensitivity · precision · quantification · instrumentation · standards · metrics · accuracy
Study of hearing disorders
- tinnitusPerceived phantom ear sounds
- earplugsInsertable sound blockers
- audiogramHearing ability chart
- cochleaSpiral hearing organ
eardrum · audiologist · auditory · noise-induced · deafness · earmuffs · aural · otolaryngology
Federal workplace safety regulator
- occupationalRelated to one's work
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- limitMaximum allowed extent
- safetyFreedom from harm
workplace · hazard · duration · permissible · industrial · construction · airport · traffic
volume
Amount of space filled
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
- deafeningOverwhelmingly loud
- earsplittingExtremely, painfully loud
thunderous · roaring · blaring · booming · cacophony · din · piercing · shrill · clamorous · raucous
frequency
Rate of recurrence
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- soundwaveTraveling pressure disturbance
resonance · pitch · tone · vibration · echo · harmonics · timbre · attenuation · absorption · reflection
calibration
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
gauge · meter · sensitivity · precision · quantification · instrumentation · standards · metrics · accuracy · logarithmic
audiology
Study of hearing disorders
cochlea · eardrum · audiologist · auditory · noise-induced · deafness · earmuffs · aural · otolaryngology
OSHA
Federal workplace safety regulator
- occupationalRelated to one's work
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- limitMaximum allowed extent
safety · workplace · hazard · duration · permissible · industrial · construction · airport · traffic · environmental
- audio systemssurround sound, spatial audio, stereo, multichannel, 5.1
- measurementsheight, stature, meters, depth, pound
- soundsound, sound waves, echoes, acoustics, vibrations
- measurementscales, gauging, balance, metering, gram
- physics termsacoustics, optics, thermodynamics, waves, frequency
- sound & wavessound waves, sonic booms, thunder, ultrasound, infrasound
decibelssoundlessness
Total absence of noise
silence · calmness · noiselessness · placidity · dead air
- decibel reading
- decibel levelsMeasurements of sound intensity
- decibel meterInstrument measuring sound intensity
- decibel scaleUnit system for sound intensity