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A decibel meter measures sound pressure in decibels, a logarithmic scale based on human ear sensitivity. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss, making it important for people working in noisy environments to protect their ears. Decibel meters are portable and used in various applications, including municipal code enforcement, music industry, and testing hearing aids. They provide decibel readings and can indicate when sound has reached the danger zone.
A decibel meter is a device that measures sound pressure to determine the loudness of sounds, measuring in decibels. Decibels are a logarithmic scale based on the sensitivity of the human ear. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss, making measuring decibel levels important for people who work in noisy environments so they know when to protect their ears.
For a frame of reference, normal conversation occurs between about 40 and 60 decibels, depending on who is speaking. A firecracker is around 140 decibels and a jackhammer operates at around 100 decibels. Musicians, mechanics, construction workers, and other people who work in noisy environments can endanger their hearing, especially if they work in environments with explosives, which can generate sound waves intense enough to cause immediate pain and damage to hearing. A decibel meter can indicate when sound has reached the danger zone.
The decibel meter measures sound pressure and provides a decibel reading for your convenience. Some may also provide readings in other units of measurement, depending on their intended uses. Decibel meters are often designed to be portable so people can move them as needed, and are often hand-held, although they can sometimes be part of a permanent set of instruments designed to take continuous measurements in a given area.
One application where a decibel meter can be used is municipal code enforcement. Many municipalities shut out sounds above a certain decibel level for safety and comfort, and may have noise restrictions during certain hours. Police officers may carry decibel meters with them to determine whether or not a sound violates the noise ordinance. These devices are also used in noise pollution studies which are used to determine the impact of passing vehicles, aircraft and other sound generating objects on a community.
The decibel meter is also used in the music industry, when recording and setting up problems, as well as monitoring conditions at a concert. Similarly, meters can be installed in noisy workplaces to monitor conditions and can be designed to send alerts when people need to wear ear protection or take other precautions to protect hearing. These devices are also used in testing hearing aids such as ear plugs and headphones, with such products featuring decibel ratings to provide an indicator of the settings in which they can and should be used.
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