For example, in more dense environments or conditions, sound travels faster. The factor of 10 multiplying the logarithm makes it decibels instead of Bels, and is included because about 1 decibel is the just noticeable difference (JND) in.

1 decibel is equal to the JND or just noticeable difference which is the least detectable change in sound intensity.Īs for how far can one decibel of sound depends on the medium it's traveling through. dB measurements may be made using a measurement instrument equipped with a frequency weighting filter, or weighting network, to make the measurement depend on. Using your other hand, pull your ear up and back. To correctly insert these earplugs: Roll the earplug between your thumb and forefinger to compress it. Also they're based on powers of 10 because of the extensive range of human hearing. The most common earplugs are made from foam, or a similar material, and can be purchased cheaply from a pharmacy, drug store, supermarket, or similar. So, a decibel is not so much a measurement of sound itself but the sound intensity,power per unit area, in relation to some standard of Io (standard threshold of hearing is 1000 Hz if I remember correctly), or 'loudness' And the reason they're called decibels is because the logarithms used are base 10.

Decibel scale who made it