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The ‘dB’ (decibel) rating
The decibel (abbreviated dB) is the unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. On the decibel scale, the smallest audible sound (near total silence) is 0 dB. A sound 10 times more powerful is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than near total silence is 20 dB. A sound 1,000 times more powerful than near total silence is 30 dB. You know from your own experience that distance affects the intensity of sound -- if you are far away, the power is greatly diminished. But if you’re close to the source of the sound, you experience its full intensity. Anything over 85 dB for a prolonged period can cause hearing loss.
Here are some common sounds and their decibel ratings:
- Near total silence - 0 dB
- A whisper - 15 dB
- Normal conversation - 60 dB
- A lawnmower - 90 dB
- A car horn - 110 dB
- A rock concert or a jet engine - 120 dB
- A gunshot or firecracker - 140 dB
A typical rangehood would tend to be in the 50-60 dB range. Not loud enough to cause hearing loss but certainly loud enough to be intrusive.
At 60 dB, a rangehood noise is 1,000,000 more powerful than near total silence. That’s a million times more powerful.
Is a truly silent rangehood really possible? Read more
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