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Permissible noise standards or how not to spoil your hearing. how many decibels can a human ear can withstand how many decibels can a human ear can withstand

There are different levels of noise and its permissible limits, the excess of which poses a great danger to human hearing.

How is noise measured?

Noise, like sounds, is measured in decibels (dB). According to the law of the Russian Federation, there are established norms that cannot be exceeded. In the daytime - no more than 55 decibels, at night - no more than 45 dB. These are the maximum permissible values, since their increase negatively affects human health. The nervous system suffers mainly, headaches occur.

Why are high pitched sounds dangerous?

Noise levels may vary. Some do not exceed the norms established by law and do not interfere with human life. In the daytime, a higher level of sounds is allowed, but it also has its limits in decibels. If the norm is exceeded, then a person may feel nervousness, irritability. Reactions are slowed down, productivity and ingenuity decrease.

Noise above 70 decibels can cause hearing loss. Especially loud sounds have a strong impact on the health of babies, the disabled and the elderly. According to studies of the impact of noise on humans, the reaction of the nervous system to an increase in the permissible levels of background noise starts from 40 decibels. Sleep is disturbed already at 35 dB.

Strong changes in the nervous system occur with noise of 70 decibels. In this case, a person may experience mental illness, hearing and vision deteriorate, and even the composition of the blood can change in a negative direction.

For example, in Germany, almost twenty percent of workers work in noise levels between 85 and 90 decibels. And this led to more frequent cases of hearing loss. Constant noise exceeding the norm entails at least drowsiness, fatigue and irritation.

What happens to hearing when exposed to noise?

Prolonged or excessively loud background noise can damage a person's hearing aid. The most dangerous thing in this case is the rupture of the eardrums. Accordingly, hearing is reduced or complete deafness occurs. In the worst case, with a loud explosion, the sound level of which reaches 200 decibels, a person dies.

Norms

The maximum noise level in a residential area (at any time of the day) is set in accordance with sanitary requirements. Sound over 70 decibels and above is harmful not only to the psychological, but also to the physical condition of a person. At enterprises, the noise level is regulated in accordance with sanitary standards and hygiene requirements established in the Russian Federation.

The optimal background noise is considered to be 20 decibels. For comparison, urban noise averages between 30 and 40 dB. And the maximum allowable for airliners is 50 dB above the ground. Now on many city streets noise levels reach from 65 to 85 decibels. But the most common indicators are from 70 to 75 dB. And this is at a rate of 70 dB.

High noise level (dB) is 90. It causes headaches, increases blood pressure, etc. Areas with increased noise levels include residential areas near airports, industrial enterprises, etc. In construction sites, the permitted level of increased sounds is not must exceed 45 decibels.

The main sources of noise are cars, aviation and railway transport, industrial production, etc. The average noise background on the roads of large cities is from 73 to 83 decibels. And the maximum is from 90 to 95 dB. In houses located along highways, the noise can reach from 62 to 77 decibels.

Although, according to sanitary standards, the sound background should not exceed 40 dB during the day, and 30 dB at night. According to the Ministry of Transport, about thirty percent of the population lives in the noise discomfort zones in the Russian Federation. And from three to four percent of the citizens are under the aviation sound background.

Low-intensity noise levels from urban traffic that are heard in residential areas are approximately 35 decibels. It does not cause physiological changes in people. At a sound level of 40 decibels, a change in hearing sensitivity begins after ten minutes. Under the influence of constant noise within fifteen minutes, sensations return to normal. At 40 dB, the duration of restful sleep is slightly disturbed.

At the factory where the press works, a special muffler is installed on it. As a result, noise is reduced from 95 to 83 decibels. And it becomes below the established sanitary standards for production.

But mostly people suffer from car noise. In cities where there is a busy traffic, the sound background is somewhat higher than the norm. During the passage of powerful trucks, the noise reaches its maximum value - from 85 to 95 decibels. But on average, in large cities, the excess of the permissible norm ranges from 5 to 7 decibels. And only in private sectors the noise load meets the accepted standards.

Technological progress causes an increase in artificial sound background, which in this case becomes harmful to humans. In some industries, the noise level in the room reaches from 60 to 70 decibels and above. Although the norm should be a value of 40 dB. All working mechanisms create a lot of noise, propagated over a long distance.

This is especially noticeable in the mining and metallurgical industries. In such industries, noise reaches 75 to 80 decibels. From explosions and operation of turbojet engines - from 110 to 130 dB.

What does the sanitary noise standard include?

Sanitary noise standards include many factors. The frequency characteristics, duration and time of exposure to a loud sound background, its nature are measured. Measurements are taken in decibels.

The norms are based on the characteristics of what level of noise, acting even for a long time, does not cause negative changes in the human body. During the day it is no more than 40 decibels, and at night - no more than 30 dB. Permissible limit of traffic noise - from 84 to 92 dB. And over time, the established norms of the sound background are planned to be reduced further.

How to determine the noise level?

At night, getting rid of loud noise is quite simple. You can call the district or police squad. But in the daytime, determining the noise level is much more problematic. Therefore, there is a special expertise. A special sanitary and epidemiological commission from Rospotrebnadzor is called. And the outgoing noise is fixed in decibels. After measurements, an act is drawn up.

Noise standards during construction

During the construction of residential buildings, developers are required to provide premises with good sound insulation. Noise should not be more than 50 decibels. This applies to sounds transmitted through the air (a working TV, conversations of neighbors, etc.).

Comparative indicators of permissible noise

Short-term exposure to loud sounds up to 60 decibels is not dangerous for a person. Unlike systematic noise, which disturbs the nervous system. The noise levels (in dB) from various sources are described below:

  • human whisper - from 30 to 40;
  • refrigerator operation - 42;
  • movement of the elevator cabin - from 35 to 43;
  • ventilation "Breather" - from 30 to 40;
  • air conditioning - 45;
  • the noise of a flying airliner - 140;
  • playing the piano - 80;
  • forest noise - from 10 to 24;
  • flowing water - from 38 to 58;
  • noise of a working vacuum cleaner - 80;
  • colloquial speech - from 45 to 60;
  • supermarket noise - 60;
  • car horn - 120;
  • cooking on the stove - 40;
  • motorcycle or train noise - from 90;
  • repair work - 100;
  • dance music in nightclubs - 110;
  • baby crying - from 70 to 80;
  • lethal noise level for humans is 200.

The list shows that many of the sounds that a person encounters on a daily basis exceed the permissible noise level. Moreover, only natural sounds are listed above, which are almost impossible to avoid. And if at the same time additional decibels are added, then the sound threshold established by sanitary standards is sharply exceeded.

Therefore, rest is important. After working in industries where the noise level goes off scale, it is necessary to restore hearing. To do this, it is enough to spend as much time as possible in relaxing, calm places. For this, field trips are well suited.

How to measure noise in decibels?

The permissible noise level can be measured independently with the help of special items - noise meters. But they are very expensive. And fixing the level of sounds is carried out only by specialists, without the conclusion of which the acts will be invalid.

As mentioned above, aggressive noise exposure sometimes leads to eardrum rupture. For this reason, hearing deteriorates, sometimes to complete deafness. Although the eardrum can recover, the process is very long and depends on the severity of the damage.

For this reason, it is recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to noise. Periodically, you need to give your ears a rest: be in complete silence, go to the village (to the country house), do not listen to music, turn off the TV. But first of all, it is desirable to abandon all kinds of portable music players with headphones.

All this will help preserve our precious hearing, which will always serve faithfully. In addition, silence helps to restore the eardrums after injury.

The physical characteristic of sound loudness is the sound pressure level, in decibels (dB). "Noise" is a random mixing of sounds.

Low and high frequency sounds seem quieter than mid-range sounds of the same intensity. With this in mind, the uneven sensitivity of the human ear to sounds of different frequencies is modulated using a special electronic frequency filter, obtaining, as a result of measurement normalization, the so-called equivalent (in terms of energy, "weighted") sound level with the dimension dBA (dB (A), then yes - with filter "A").

A person, in the daytime, can hear sounds with a volume of 10-15 dB or more. The maximum frequency range for the human ear, on average, is from 20 to 20,000 Hz (possible range of values: from 12-24 to 18000-24000 hertz). In youth, a mid-frequency sound with a frequency of 3 kHz is better heard, in middle age - 2-3 kHz, in old age - 1 kHz. Such frequencies, in the first kilohertz (up to 1000-3000 Hz - the zone of speech communication) - are common in telephones and radio on the MW and LW bands. With age, the sound range perceived by ear narrows: for high-frequency sounds - decreasing to 18 kilohertz or less (in older people, every ten years - by about 1000 Hz), and for low-frequency sounds - increasing from 20 Hz or more.

In a sleeping person, the main source of sensory information about the environment is the ears ("light sleep"). Hearing sensitivity, at night and with eyes closed, increases by 10-14 dB (up to the first decibels, on the dBA scale), compared to daytime, therefore, loud, sharp noise with large volume jumps can wake up sleeping people.

If there are no sound-absorbing materials on the walls of the premises (carpets, special coatings), the sound will be louder due to multiple reflections (reverberation, that is, echoes from walls, ceilings and furniture), which will increase the noise level by several decibels.


Noise scale (sound levels, decibel), in the table

Decibel,
dBA
Characteristic Sound sources
0 Can not hear anything
5 Almost inaudible
10 Almost inaudible the soft rustle of leaves
15 barely audible rustle of leaves
20 barely audible whisper of a person (at a distance of 1 meter).
25 Quiet human whisper (1m)
30 Quiet whisper, ticking of the wall clock.
Permissible maximum according to the norms for residential premises at night, from 23 to 7 hours.
35 Quite audible muffled conversation
40 Quite audible ordinary speech.
The norm for residential premises during the day, from 7 to 23 hours.
45 Quite audible normal conversation
50 clearly audible conversation, typewriter
55 clearly audible Upper standard for class A office premises (according to European standards)
60 Noisy Norm for offices
65 Noisy loud talk (1m)
70 Noisy loud conversations (1m)
75 Noisy scream, laugh (1m)
80 Very noisy scream, motorcycle with silencer.
85 Very noisy loud scream, motorcycle with silencer
90 Very noisy loud screams, freight railway car (seven meters away)
95 Very noisy subway car (7 meters outside or inside the car)
100 Extremely noisy orchestra, subway car (intermittently), thunder

The maximum allowable sound pressure for the player's headphones (according to European standards)

105 Extremely noisy in an airplane (until the 80s of the twentieth century)
110 Extremely noisy helicopter
115 Extremely noisy sandblaster (1m)
120 almost unbearable jackhammer (1m)
125 almost unbearable
130 pain threshold plane at the start
135 Contusion
140 Contusion the sound of a jet plane taking off
145 Contusion rocket launch
150 Contusion, injury
155 Contusion, injury
160 shock, injury shock wave from a supersonic aircraft

At sound levels above 160 decibels, eardrums and lungs may rupture,
more than 200 - death (noise weapon)

The maximum allowable sound levels (LAmax, dBA) are 15 decibels higher than the "normal" ones. For example, for living rooms of apartments, the permissible constant sound level in the daytime is 40 decibels, and the temporary maximum is 55.

Inaudible noise - sounds with frequencies less than 16-20 Hz (infrasound) and more than 20 kHz (ultrasound). Low-frequency oscillations of 5-10 hertz can cause resonance, vibration of internal organs and affect the functioning of the brain. Low-frequency acoustic vibrations increase aching pains in bones and joints in sick people. Sources of infrasound: cars, wagons, thunder from lightning, etc.

High-frequency sound and ultrasound with a frequency of 20-50 kilohertz, reproduced with a modulation of several hertz, are used to scare away birds from airfields, animals (dogs, for example) and insects (mosquitoes, midges).

At workplaces, the maximum permissible, by law, equivalent sound levels for intermittent noise: the maximum sound level should not exceed 110 dBA, and for impulse noise - 125 dBAI. Even a short stay in areas with sound pressure levels above 135 dB in any octave band is prohibited.

The noise emitted by a computer, printer and fax machine in a room without sound absorbing materials can exceed 70 db. Therefore, it is not recommended to place a lot of office equipment in one room. Too noisy equipment should be moved outside the premises where the workplaces are located. You can reduce the noise level if you use noise-absorbing materials as room decoration and thick fabric curtains. Earplugs will also help.

The cry of a child, in comparison with other sounds of the same volume, has a much stronger effect on the human psyche, as an irritant and incentive for active physical actions (to calm, feed, etc.)

In the construction of buildings and structures, in accordance with modern, more stringent requirements for sound insulation, technologies and materials capable of providing reliable noise protection should be used.

For fire alarms: the sound pressure level of the useful audio signal provided by the siren must be at least 75 dBA at a distance of 3 m from the siren and not more than 120 dba at any point of the protected premises (clause 3.14 NPB 104-03).

High power siren and ship's howler - presses more than 120-130 decibels.

Special signals (sirens and "quacks" - Air Horn) installed on official vehicles are regulated by GOST R 50574 - 2002. The sound pressure level of the signaling device when a special sound is given. signal, at a distance of 2 meters along the axis of the horn, should not be lower than:
116 dB(A) - when installing the sound emitter on the roof of the vehicle;
122 dBA - when installing the emitter in the engine compartment of vehicles.
Changes in fundamental frequency should be between 150 and 2000 Hz. Cycle duration - from 0.5 to 6.0 s.

The civil car horn, according to GOST R 41.28-99 and UNECE Regulation No. 28, must emit a continuous and monotonous sound with an acoustic pressure level of not more than 118 decibels. The maximum permissible values ​​\u200b\u200bof this order are also for car alarms.

If a city dweller, accustomed to constant noise, finds himself in complete silence for some time (in a dry cave, for example, where the noise level is less than 20 db), then he may well experience depressive states instead of rest.

Noise meter for measuring sound level, noise

To measure the noise level, a sound level meter is used (pictured), which is produced in various modifications: household (estimated price - 3-4 tr, measurement ranges: 30-130 dB, 31.5 Hz - 8 kHz, filters A and C ), industrial (integrating, etc.) The most common models: SL, octave, svan. Wide-range noise meters are used to measure infrasonic and ultrasonic noise.


Sound frequency ranges

Sub-bands of the audio frequency spectrum, which are tuned to the filters of two- or three-way acoustic systems: low-frequency - vibrations up to 400 hertz;
mid-frequency - 400-5000 Hz;
high frequency - 5000-20000Hz


The speed of sound and its range

Approximate speed of audible, mid-frequency sound (with a frequency of about 1-2 kHz) and the maximum range of its propagation in various environments:
in air - 344.4 meters per second (at a temperature of 21.1 Celsius) and approximately 332 m / s - at zero degrees;
in water - approximately 1.5 kilometers per second;
in a tree of hard varieties - about 4-5 km / s along the fibers and one and a half times less - across.

At 20 ° C., the speed of sound in fresh water is 1484 m / s (at 17 ° - 1430), in sea - 1490 m / s.

The speed of sound in metals and other solids (only the values ​​of the fastest, longitudinal elastic waves are given):
in stainless steel - 5.8 kilometers per second.
Cast iron - 4.5
Ice - 3-4km/s
Copper - 4.7 km/s
Aluminum - 6.3km/s
Polystyrene - 2.4 kilometers per second.

As temperature and pressure increase, the speed of sound in air increases. In liquids, the temperature is inversely related.

Velocity of propagation of elastic longitudinal waves in rock masses, m/s:
soil - 200-800
sand dry / wet - 300-1000 / 700-1300
clay - 1800-2400
limestone - 3200-5500

They reduce the range of sound propagation along the surface of the earth - high obstacles (mountains, buildings and structures), the opposite direction of the wind and its speed, as well as other factors (low atmospheric pressure, high temperature and humidity). Distances at which the source of loud noise is almost inaudible - usually from 100 meters (in the presence of high obstacles or in a dense forest), up to 300-800 m - in open areas (with a favorable average wind - the range increases to a kilometer or more) . With distance, higher frequencies are “lost” (quickly extinguished and dissipated) and low-frequency sounds remain. The maximum range of propagation of infrasound of medium intensity (a person does not hear it, but there is an effect on the body) is tens and hundreds of kilometers from the source.

The attenuation intensity (absorption coefficient) of medium frequency sound (of the order of 1-8 kHz), at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, above the ground with low grass, in the steppe is approximately 10-20 dB for every 100 meters. Absorption is proportional to the square of the acoustic wave frequency.

If during a thunderstorm you saw strong lightning and after 12 seconds you heard the first peals of thunder, this means that the lightning struck four kilometers from you (340 * 12 = 4080 m.) In approximate calculations, it is assumed that three seconds per kilometer of distance (in air space) to the sound source.

The line of propagation of sound waves deviates in the direction of decreasing the speed of sound (refraction on the temperature gradient), that is, on a sunny day, when the air near the earth's surface is warmer than the overlying one, the line of propagation of sound waves bends upwards, but if the upper layer of the atmosphere turns out to be warmer than the surface layer, then the sound will go back down from there and it will be heard better.

Diffraction of sound is the wave bending around an obstacle when its dimensions are comparable to the wavelength or less than it. If it is much longer than the wavelength, then the sound is reflected (the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence), and an acoustic shadow zone is formed behind the obstacles.

Reflections of a sound wave, its refraction and diffraction - cause multiple echo (reverberation), which has a significant impact on the audibility of speech and music in a room or outside it, which is taken into account when recording, to obtain live sound (by placing small-sized microphones with a sharp directional characteristic, for recording direct sound, followed by mixing and mixing of "dry" recording by the processor into digital or using far-equidistant, well-tuned environment microphones with additional recording of reflected sounds).

Ordinary soundproofing does not save from infrasound.


Binaural Beat Frequency

When the right and left ears hear sounds (for example, from the player's headphones, f< 1000 герц, f1 - f2 < 25 Гц) двух различных частот - мозг, в результате обработки этих сигналов, получает третью, разностную частоту биения (бинауральный ритм, который равен арифметической разнице их частоты), "слышимую" как низкочастотные колебания, совпадающие с диапазоном обычных мозговых волн (дельта - до 4 Гц, тета - 4-8Гц, альфа - 8-13Гц, бета - 13-30 Гц). Этот биологический эффект учитывается и используется в студиях звукозаписи - для передачи низких частот, не воспроизводимых напрямую динамиками обычных стереосистем (вследствие конструкционных ограничений), но эти способы и методы, при неумелом применении, могут негативно сказаться на психологическом состоянии и настроении слушателя, так как отличаются от естественного, природного восприятия человеческим ухом шумов и звуков.

// with the binaural effect, not three, but two sounds are "heard": the first is the arithmetic mean, in frequency, from two real ones, and the second is a clock, modeled by the brain. With an increase in the frequency difference (> 20-30 hertz), the sounds break up, in perception, into the original ones, with their actual frequency, and the bin. effect disappears. The phase difference of the sound waves coming to the right and left ear - allows you to determine the direction to the source of sound / noise, volume and timbre - the distance to it.


Schumann resonance

In those places of the ionosphere where electromagnetic waves of sufficient power hit, with a stable (with a high quality factor of the signal) Schumann resonance, especially at the frequencies of its first harmonics, the plasma bunches that appeared at the same time begin to radiate infrasonic acoustic (sound) waves. Specific ionospheric emitters exist as long as lightning discharges continue in the initiating thunderstorm source - approximately, up to the first tens of minutes. For an eight hertz frequency, these radiating points are located on the opposite side of the globe, from the electromagnetic source. waves. At 14 hertz - in a triangle. Local, strongly ionized regions in the lower layers of the ionosphere (sporadic Es layer) and plasma reflectors - can be interconnected or spatially coincide.


How to keep your hearing

Prolonged exposure to noise with a level of more than 80-90 decibels can lead to partial or complete hearing loss (at concerts, the power of acoustic systems can reach tens of kilowatts). Also, pathological changes in the cardiovascular and nervous system can occur. Only sounds up to 35 dB are safe.

A reaction to prolonged and strong noise exposure is "tinnitus" - ringing in the ears, "noise in the head", which can develop into a progressive hearing loss. It is typical for ages over 30 years old, with a weakened body, stress, alcohol abuse and smoking. In the simplest case, the cause of tinnitus or hearing loss can be a wax plug in the ear, which is easily removed by a medical specialist (washing or extraction). If the auditory nerve is inflamed, this can be cured, also relatively easily (with medicines, acupuncture). Pulsating noise is a more difficult case to treat (possible causes: narrowing of blood vessels in atherosclerosis or tumors, as well as subluxation of the cervical vertebrae).


To protect your hearing:

Do not increase the volume of the sound in the player's headphones, trying to drown out external noise (in the subway or on the street). At the same time, electromagnetic radiation to the brain from the earpiece speaker also increases;
. in a noisy place, to protect your hearing - use anti-noise soft "ear plugs", earbuds or headphones (noise reduction is more effective at high sound frequencies). They need to be customized to fit your ear. In the field, they also use light bulbs from a flashlight (they are not for everyone, but they are suitable in size). In shooting sports, individually molded "active ear plugs" with electronic filling are used, at a price - like a telephone. They must be kept in their packaging. It is better to choose bershes made from a hypoallergenic polymer that have good SNR (noise reduction) of 30 dB or more. With sudden pressure drops (in an airplane), to equalize it and reduce pain, you need to use special earplugs with micro-holes;
. use soundproofing environmentally friendly materials in rooms to reduce noise;
. when diving, so that the tympanic membrane does not rupture - blow out in time (blow out the ears by holding the nose or swallowing). Immediately after diving - you can not go on a plane. Jumping with a parachute - you also need to equalize the pressure in a timely manner so as not to get barotrauma. Consequences of barotrauma: noise and ringing in the ears (subjective "tinnitus"), hearing loss, ear pain, nausea and dizziness, in severe cases - loss of consciousness.
. with a cold and a runny nose, when the nose and maxillary sinuses are stuffy, sudden pressure drops are unacceptable: diving (hydrostatic pressure - 1 atmosphere per 10 meters of immersion depth in water, that is: two - at ten, three - at around 20 m. and etc.), parachute jumps (0.01 atm. per 100 m. height, rapidly increasing, with acceleration).
// about seven and a half millimeters of mercury column of a barometer - for every hundred meters, in height.
. give your ears a rest from the loud noise.

Techniques usually used to equalize pressure on both sides of the eardrum: swallowing, yawning, blowing with a closed nose. Artillerymen, firing a shot, open their mouths or cover their ears with the palms of their hands.

Common causes of hearing loss: water getting into the ears, infections (including those of the respiratory system), injuries and tumors, the formation of sulfuric plug and its swelling upon contact with water, prolonged exposure to noisy environments, barotrauma with a sharp pressure drop, inflammation of the middle ear - otitis media (accumulation of fluid behind the eardrum).

When a person studies state standards, or simply stumbles upon information about housing and communal services regulations, he may wonder how loud noise level 40 dB, with which you can compare to have an idea.

Sound pressure

Sound refers to wave radiation, as it is transmitted through waves of a special frequency (length). The frequency of sound is measured in Hertz (Hz). The average person can hear the frequency range from 16 to 20,000 with their ear. Hertz. Young people hear a wider range, and with old age the range of audibility narrows. As for the volume of sound, it is measured in decibels.

Simplified, this value indicates the amplitude of the sound wave .

Special devices are able to measure the volume of sound and compare. Therefore, special legal acts have been developed that regulate the volume of sound in different situations. For example, according to the rules of the road, the volume of the sound produced by the car must not exceed 93 decibels.

Resonance and noise level

In addition to a loud sound, which in itself can cause destruction, there is also a phenomenon acoustic resonance. If you have ever listened to loud music, you may have noticed that at certain moments nearby objects rattle. So, this phenomenon is resonance .

It is a swinging of the vibration amplitude of an object through the action of sound frequency or harmonics. In simple words, you can choose such a frequency that the object vibrates very strongly(rattling).

By increasing the volume of the resonant frequency, you can even destroy the object of influence. That's how they break glasses with the power of their own voice.

Resonant frequencies can significantly enhance the effect of an acoustic wave on human tissues. Thus, at certain frequencies, even a small volume, but the desired frequency, can lead to injuries to internal organs.

car audio competition

Recently popular in Russia acoustic car tuning competition. Enthusiastic car enthusiasts install the most powerful audio systems in their cars and compete to see who has the best system. Let's consider some aspects of this action.

  • louder = better. In car audio competitions, the one whose car sounds louder wins. Other parameters are almost never taken into account.
  • Power. Often write " system power 50KW". However, this is not the case. In this case, this power is the instantaneous impedance power. Simplifying all the features of harmonic oscillations, this is the power that occurs at a certain frequency in an extremely short period of time. This is also called "Chinese kilowatts". In fact, the power is hundreds of times less.
  • Design. If a system doesn't win on loudness, it may win on design. Unlike loudness, this parameter cannot be measured and is very subjective.
  • Practicality. At the moment, the record for the volume of a car audio system is more than 180db. This is the lethal level. This begs the question, why do we need such a system?

A little about security

Due to the fact that the level of sound pressure can harm a person, there are norms and requirements for working conditions and premises. Therefore, if you are doing some kind of loud work, working with a noisy tool, it is better to use protective headphones. Your organ of hearing is as valuable as the organ of sight, so you should treat it with care. Remember that even short-term exposure to very loud sounds can harm your health.

If you are engaged in noisy work in the apartment (repair, furniture assembly, etc.), you should take into account that for exceeding permissible noise levels ( 40 decibels) on weekends and at night, the legislation of the Russian Federation provides for administrative penalties(fines).

What is a 40 decibel noise compared to?

To have a visual idea of ​​what volume can be compared with 40 dB from certain noises, take a look at the table.

Thus it can be seen that the loudness produced by different things and events is different, and these differences can be measured.

  • The maximum headphone volume of the player is limited to 100 dB, which corresponds to the approximate volume of a brass band or a working chainsaw.
  • At the level more than 100 dB there is a risk of injury to the auditory organs;
  • More than 160 dB - multiple ruptures of the lungs and eardrums. Level at 200 dB and more is fatal and refers to acoustic weapons.

Now you know exactly what the noise level of 40 dB corresponds to, with what to compare it, what is louder, what is quieter. 40 dB is the norm for residential premises during the day from 7 to 23 hours.

Video experiment: 40 dB noise

Loud noises in the apartment can poison life making it simply unbearable.

Are there any permissible limits in decibels established by law, in terms of the noise level in the apartment, are the limits the same day and night, and how to prove that extraneous sounds are too loud?

Dear readers! Our articles talk about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is unique.

If you want to know how to solve exactly your problem - contact the online consultant form on the right or call free consultation:

Norms established by law

What noise level is acceptable in the apartment?

A completely quiet life in an apartment building (hereinafter - MKD) is unrealistic, people celebrate important events of their life with feasts, make repairs, change furniture and plumbing fixtures.

Each of the residents of the MKD understands and accepts the need for repairs or the crying of a baby, but it’s a completely different matter when the neighbors cannot be calmed down or at least reduce the volume level of the sounds produced.

The concept of loudness is a controversial issue based on the subjective perception of sounds, therefore Noise levels in the home are set the following laws:

  • Law No. 52-FZ of March 30, 1999 (as amended on July 3, 2016);
  • Norms No. CH 2.2.4/2.1.8.562-96;
  • SanPiN 2.1.2.1002-00.

Many subjects of the Russian Federation set their own limits on the levels and intensity of various sounds, because noise not only causes unpleasant sensations, they harm the health of others.

So, on the territory of Moscow as a separate subject of the Russian Federation, the following legislative documents have been adopted for management:

  • Law of the City of Moscow of July 12, 2002 N 42;
  • Law of the City of Moscow dated January 29, 2003 N 4;
  • Moscow GD of February 8, 2005 N 73-PP;
  • Law of Moscow dated November 21, 2007 No. 45.

Noise is measured in decibels, and it is in these units that they are accepted. limiting values.

In the daytime

From 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., the upper limit for any noise permitted by law, is 40 dB.

To make it clear how loud this is, we can give the following examples for comparison:

  1. At conversation average pressure on the ears will be about 65 dB.
  2. Gun Shot close will produce a noise of 160 dB.
  3. alarm clock(mechanical) gives a volume of 80 dB.

From these examples, it becomes clear that the 40 dB level represents sounds of modest intensity, comparable to quiet conversation, and from 13-00 to 15-00 afternoon rest time is announced when there should be complete silence.

Weekends and holidays the schedule changes: the morning is allowed to start only from 10-00, and you can make noise (not much - up to 40 dB) no later than 22-00. Exceeding the specified limits is permissible by 15 dB, but no more.

But what about when repairs are due, because it will be necessary to drill and knock?

It is possible, but not on weekends or holidays, when such activities are completely excluded.

Allowed to make repairs and carry out construction work during weekdays, from 9-00 to 19-00, and the total time should not last more than 6 hours, and with a 1-hour lunch break. Limit term repair work in an MKD apartment is 3 months.

At night time

During the night hours, taken from 23-00 to 7-00, the maximum permissible noise level is permissible up to 30 dB.

This corresponds in volume to a quiet conversation, and totally unacceptable:

  • turn on the TV and other audio or video equipment with sound;
  • shout, knock, rattle, whistle, sing, etc.;
  • blow up pyrotechnic devices;
  • carry out repairs, as well as loading and unloading operations.

In every case there are exceptions, because loud sounds cannot be dispensed with, If:

  1. Citywide celebrations are held with concerts, fireworks, etc.
  2. The noise is caused by the action of intruders and their capture.
  3. An emergency situation has occurred, such as hostilities, fire, flood and other force majeure circumstances, etc.

But constantly ignoring the neighbors' requests not to make noise, especially when there is a sick person or a shift worker in the family, is unacceptable and illegal.

Why is loud noise dangerous?

Frequent exposure to loud, above-normal levels of sounds hazardous to human health, because it can cause:

  • sudden changes in blood pressure;
  • headache;
  • deafness
  • diseases of a nervous nature.

Constant long-term exposure to an increased sound background can threaten with a catastrophe, and 200 dB-th sound is fatal for each of us.

What can be sources?

In an MKD apartment, many sounds can be annoying with their loudness, preventing you from relaxing, falling asleep calmly and quickly, reading a book and just living normally. Sources of increased sound background can be:

  • turned on at high volume TV, tape recorder, etc. reproducing devices;
  • playing musical instruments, especially piano, piano, trumpet;
  • sounds of scandal, screams;
  • loud feasts with songs, dances;
  • operation of elevators, pumps;
  • noises emitted by the vent. equipment;
  • sounds of running power tools, etc.

There can be many sources of cacophony, everything that happens is heard in the apartment behind the wall, under or above the dwelling, as well as in the yard- the rumble of a motorcycle, car, tram, train, construction site, loading and unloading at a built-in store, etc.

But it is important to understand that playing musical instruments - tenants' right, as well as sort things out or celebrate a birthday.

Another thing is that the loudness of what is happening annoys the neighbors, however, such actions can only be regarded as petty hooliganism, and have nothing to do with the noise to be measured.

Where to apply?

What to do if you think that your apartment is noisy? First of all, you need try to determine where the apartment comes from disturbing sounds.

Regardless of the result of your research, you should contact the written, HOA or other service company.

The board must respond send your employee, who must verify the presence of noise and report this to management.

At the expense of the company's funds, the management company should attract specialists to measure the level of sounds and identify their source. The problem must be solved.

In case of inaction of the Criminal Code, you need to contact to the prosecutor's office or to Rospotrebnadzor, each of these bodies is obliged to appoint an examination (at the expense of the Criminal Code) to determine the level of impact, its intensity and duration, as well as the source.

If the sounds come from outside - from a club, construction site, shop, workshop, enterprise, then such a question is beyond the competence of the Criminal Code, and you should immediately address your request to the prosecutor's office or Rospotrebnadzor.

Representatives of these services will find where the noise is coming from, and, based on the results of the examination, they will issue an order. After the agreed period, the experts will check to what extent the situation has changed, and may follow a fine requiring the immediate cessation of sound exposure.

If the noise has already harmed the residents, then if the results of the examination are available, there is a right and reason go to court but the fact of causing harm must be documented.

Why is expertise needed?

The fact of the presence of noise impact on people while they are in the apartment can only be confirmed by an examination, all other arguments will remain unfounded, that is, unsubstantiated, and there will be nothing to present to the court.

Examination of the noise level in the apartment is a documentary basis for applying to the judicial authorities.

When is a sanitary and epidemiological examination in relation to noise not carried out? Sanitary and epidemiological expertise may not always be carried out, there are Circumstances that preclude the involvement of experts:

  1. When noises are caused by natural or random phenomena.
  2. Anxiety is caused by the work of the alarm system - anti-theft, fire, etc.
  3. When holding mass cultural, sports, religious or political events.
  4. Work is underway to eliminate the consequences of accidents, natural disasters, etc.
  5. The inconvenience is caused by traffic.
  6. Rattle, rumble are heard during the removal of ice, snow, etc.

Expert actions will also be denied in the case when neighbors make noise - this falls within the competence of law enforcement agencies.

How and what to measure?

A tenant suffering from noise exposure should apply to Rospotrebnadzor, a sanitation station or an independent company.

Specialists at the request of tenants leave with equipment called sound level meters.

There are special technologies, following which, experts take measurements at several points in the room, then derive the average and compare it with the allowable standard values.

The result of the work of experts - measurement protocol, which will indicate the frequency and dynamic noise levels. They can also check the effectiveness of sound insulation.

At their own expense, conducting such studies by commercial firms is unprofitable: the price level is very serious (3 measurements will cost 10 thousand rubles during the day, at night - 15 thousand rubles for 3 measurements, and regarding sound insulation, the actions of experts are estimated from the starting cost services in the amount of 30-50 thousand rubles).

Judicial or pre-trial examination will cost 25-35 thousand rubles, and if the issue concerns sound insulation, then up to 70 thousand rubles.

You can learn about how and with what you can measure the noise level in an apartment from the video:

Who is freezing?

Measure the noise level in a residential area with the issuance of a protocol, conclusion, examination only experts are eligible– representatives of Rospotrebnadzor or independent expert organizations that have the proper level of accreditation and are members of the SRO.

Such procedures are not performed independently.- you need special devices and methods known to professionals.

In addition, you need a document that will be recognized as legal if it is issued by an independent accredited company or the expert service of Rospotrebnadzor. An examination can be appointed by the court, then one of the forensic expert institutions will work.

What is the cost of measuring the noise level in an apartment by Rospotrebnadzor? For measuring the noise level in the apartment by Rospotrebnadzor will take 540 rubles. for 1 point, a total visit of experts during the daytime will cost about 5 thousand rubles, at night - no more than 10 thousand rubles.

Responsibility for violation of norms

Systematic violation of noise exposure standards, as non-compliance with the norms of sanitary and epidemiological well-being, punishable by fines according to Art. 23.13 Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.

If an individual is deaf to the requests of other people who are forced to ask for help, then for the first time they can give him a warning or write out a fine of 1-2 thousand rubles.

In case of repeated violation, the amount of the fine is doubled., and in case of chronic disregard for the law on silence, a fine in the amount of a double minimum wage may be imposed, the amount of which will be 2x9 = 18 thousand rubles.

If sounds interfere with normal living in an apartment, then you need to fight for your rights.

All bells should be rung- go to the Criminal Code, complain to the prosecutor's office or Rospotrebnadzor, call the police.

Having collected the evidence base, the tenant suffering from the effects of sounds has the right to go to court and win the process.

ABOUT permissible noise standards in the apartment, as well as the responsibility for their violation, you can learn from the video:

Excessively loud noise that exceeds sanitary standards and barograms (injuries due to pressure drop) lead to partial or even complete hearing loss.

To be fully aware of the dangers of noise to hearing aids, it is necessary to become familiar with the maximum allowable noise levels both during the day and at night. Find out which sounds produce the most decibels. With the help of such knowledge, it is possible to clearly distinguish what is absolutely impossible for hearing, and what is safe.

Permissible noise standards

The permitted noise level, which does not have a harmful or destructive effect on hearing during prolonged exposure to the ears, is considered to be: 55 decibels (dB) during the day and 40 decibels (dB) at night. These thresholds are considered normal for the human ear, but alas, they are constantly violated, especially in large cities.

Noise level in decibels (dB)

The reality is that the noise level is often above the norm. Below we will analyze a small part of the sounds that appear in the daily life of each person and understand how many decibels these sounds can contain:

  • human speechfrom 40 decibel (dB) up to 65 decibel (dB) ;
  • Automotivesignal gets to 12 5 decibel (dB);
  • Noisecity ​​road flow- before9 0 decibel (dB);
  • Crying children75 decibel (dB);
  • Noiseoffice space equipment – 8 5 decibel (dB);
  • motorcycle noiseortrains -100 decibel (dB);
  • Musical sounds in nightclubs - 125 decibel (dB);
  • flying noisein the skyaircraft - 145 decibel (dB);
  • Repair noise- to 105 decibel (dB);
  • The noise of cooking35 decibel (dB);
  • forest noisefrom 10 to30 decibel (dB);
  • Criticalnoise levelfor a person,- 200 decibels (dB).


Now you know that many of the noises that surround you in everyday life are significantly higher than the norm. And these are only external noises, noises that we cannot influence in any way. The noise of the TV or loud music in the speakers is something that we ourselves do and deliberately load the hearing aid.

What noise level is harmful?

If the noise reaches up to 75-100 decibels (dB) and lasts for a long time, then with prolonged exposure it will lead to disorders of the central nervous system of our body. And exceeding these numbers will lead to significant hearing loss or, in the worst case, to deafness. So think about the next time you listen to music too loudly.

What happens to hearing when exposed to noise?

A strong and prolonged noise load on hearing leads to a rupture of the eardrum. As a result, hearing and even deafness decrease. However, the consequences of a ruptured eardrum can be restored, but this process is quite lengthy and depends on the degree of severity. Like it or not, the treatment of this disease takes place under the strict guidance of a doctor.

How to avoid hearing loss?

Knowing the causes of hearing loss, comes the understanding that it is important to avoid long-term strong exposure to noise on the eardrums. It is clear that it is almost impossible to remove the full load on the hearing aid in our time. But it is enough to give your ears more time to rest: to be in silence more often, to limit listening to music loudly. The point is to give your ears as much rest and silence as possible so you can restore your hearing and keep it normal.