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Noise - Acceptable dBA Level

Acceptable noise - dBA - level at typical common locations.

The main advantage with dB(A) - the A weighted noise or sound measurement - is

  • its adaption to how the human ear responses to sound - the human hearing, and
  • the possibility to measure noise with "low cost" instruments

Maximum acceptable Equivalent Sound Level - Leq - at some locations:

Noise - Acceptable dBA Levels
LocationEffectsMaximum Leq
(dBA)
Time
(hours)
Time of day
Bedroom sleep disturbance, annoyance 30 8 night
Living area annoyance, speech interference 50 16 day
Outdoor living area moderate annoyance 50 16 day
Outdoor living area serious annoyance 55 16 day
Outdoor living area sleep disturbance, with open windows 45 8 night
School classroom speech interference, communication disturbance 35 8 day
Hospitals patient rooms sleep disturbance, communication interference 30 - 35 8 day and night
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