The threshold of hearing is plotted relative to a standardised curve that represents 'normal' hearing, in dB(HL). dB HL and dB SPL. Logarithmic means that, for every 10 dB, the corresponding real-world volume doubles. Convert your threshold levels in dB SPL to Hearing Level in dB HL using this table: Frequency 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 dB SPL 30 19 12 9 9 9 10 Hearing Level @ f Hz (dB HL) = Threshold level @ f Hz (dB SPL) - Average Threshold level @ f Hz (dB SPL). 40 dB is twice as loud as 30 dB, and half as loud as 50 dB. In the newsgroups these often misunderstood statements are explained rather less accurately. A person hears the words on a word understanding test at 80 dB HL. dB SPL is a comparison of a sound level to what was thought to be the threshold of hearing, although today it is known that the value was too high. 3.3.3.Units of noise exposure . Sound pressure level and dB SPL. dB SPL is a comparison of a sound level to what was once believed to be the threshold of hearing, although today it is known that the value was too high. One parameter of the acoustic wave which is generally used to assess sound exposure to humans is the sound pressure level expressed in μPa or Pa. Human ear’ audible sound pressure levels range from 20 μPa (hearing threshold) till 20 Pa (pain threshold), resulting in the scale 1:10,000,000. We’ve done a pure tone test and we know that their threshold at 2000 hz is 10 decibels. − an electric voltage level of +6 dB, or a sound pressure level of +6 dB − a loudness level of about +10 dB −10 dB more SPL means 10 times increase in amplifier (electric) power. They are not the same as equal-loudness contours , which are a set of curves representing equal loudness at different levels, as well as at the threshold of hearing , in absolute terms measured in dB SPL (sound pressure level). If your threshold level is louder than average you should get a positive number. We only use this when we are testing hearing. This person has a hearing threshold for speech at 65 dB HL. The differences between dB HL and dB SPL, arise from isophonic curves. Relative means that dB is only a useful measurement when compared to other dB values. dB Q sometimes used to denote weighted noise level dB SIL dB sound intensity level – relative to 10 −12 W/m 2 dB SPL dB SPL (sound pressure level) – for sound in air and other gases, relative to 20 μPa in air or 1 μPa in water dB … •Sound pressure level (dB SPL) • Units for Hearing Level: decibels for hearing level (dB HL). 3.3.3.1. dB HL (hearing level) is not the same as dB SPL (sound pressure level), which is an absolute measure of the pressure generated by sound wave. Note that the 50% point is around 9.06 dB SPL while the slope and maximum speech processing performances are clearly different. 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