decibel

[des´ĭ-bel]

a unit of relative power intensity equal to one tenth of a bel, used for electric or acoustic power measurements; one decibel equals approximately the smallest difference in acoustic power the human ear can detect and an increase of 10 decibels approximately doubles the loudness of a sound. Abbreviated dB or db.

Examples of decibel levels in everyday situations. From Frazier et al., 1996.

dec·i·bel (dB, db),

(des'i-bel), Avoid the mispronunciation des'i-b'l.

One tenth of a bel; unit for expressing the relative intensity of sound on a logarithmic scale.

[L. decimus, tenth, + bel]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

dec·i·bel

(dB) (des'i-bĕl)

One tenth of a bel; unit for expressing the relative loudness of sound on a logarithmic scale.

[L. decimus, tenth, + bel]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

decibel

A logarithmic unit of comparison between a standard power level and an observed level. The decibel is not a unit of sound intensity but is widely used to compare a noise level with a very low standard reference level near the limit of audibility, and to compare electrical power levels. A tenth of a bel.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Decibel

A unit of measure for expressing the loudness of a sound. Normal speech is typically spoken in the range of about 20-50 decibels.

Mentioned in: Audiometry, Hearing Loss

decibel (dB)

1. Unit used for the measurement of the intensity of a sound. 2. Light intensities are often presented on a logarithmic (rather than linear) scale. This is done, in particular, to abbreviate large numbers. Moreover, it has become common, especially in perimetry, to use decibels rather than log units. A decibel scale is a logarithmic scale where 10 decibels are equal to 1 log unit; 20 decibels, to 2 log units, etc. In perimetry, decibels are used to indicate the attenuation of brightness of the stimulus. Thus, a 20 dB stimulus is equal to one-tenth the brightness of a 10 dB stimulus.

dec·i·bel

(dB) (des'i-bĕl)

One tenth of a bel.

[L. decimus, tenth, + bel]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Decibel is also advancing a portfolio of discovery-stage programs aimed at restoring hearing and balance function.

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"The legal level is 82 decibels, but in line with other forces we are using 90 decibels as the limit to take account for the effects of any wear and tear," said PC Edwards, who has also come across cars registering levels of 104db, 103db and 96db.

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Sound levels averaged 99.8 decibels, and peak values exceeded 125.5 dB.

Earplugs are essential at all types of concerts

The level of deafness is defined according to the quietest sound that can be heard, measured in decibels.

YOUR LIFE: MERCURY MEDIC What can I do to help deaf mother; DR JAMES BRISCOE is Medical Director at Woodbourne Priory Hospital

OSHA regulations call for an 88 decibel limit on anti-fall monitors.

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And so far, top competitors in "extreme decibel (dB drag racing" claim to have blasted sound levels (loudness measured in decibels) up to 177.6 dB.

Decibel drag race

OSHA stated in its announcement that "caution must be used when comparing the 2003 and future data to prior years, when the 25 decibel criteria for recordkeeping was used."

Ergonomics recordkeeping requirements on hold until 2004. (Washington Alert)

Link loss is often expressed in terms of the decibel (dB) loss.

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Also during the Hawaii test, a snorkler was exposed to a 125 decibel LFA broadcast over a period of thirty to forty-five minutes.

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The Swedish government has decided that the aviation authority will have to provide additional insulation so that the noise level indoors is reduced to 45 decibels. Houses with a noise level of 80 decibel have already received additional insulation to reduce the noise to 45 decibel.

Swedish civil aviation authority must insulate houses from noise

In addition, although the decibel level will drop with distance, the frequency remains the same.

The unquiet oceans: undersea noise experiments threaten the sensitive hearing - and communications - of marine mammals