Measure volume – that's how it works

Every day people are exposed to sounds that are perceived as noise: road construction work, loud music from the neighbour, traffic noise and much more. What is normal for one person may be perceived as too loud by another. There are various devices for measuring volume.

How can you measure volume?

First you need to know that you can't measure loudness itself - only sound level. Why it is like that? Quite simply: every person (and living creature) has a different way of hearing and feeling. For example, while the full power of a stereo system with associated bass boxes for If your neighbors are comfortable, it can be unbearable noise for you - in other words, much too loud be.

• On the other hand, the sound pressure or the sound level. Volume (sound pressure) is measured in decibels (dB).
• So in order to measure the volume that, thanks to the latest hi-fi technology, penetrates from the house next door into your apartment, you need a sound pressure meter.
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• You can buy such a device in online shops for less than 100 euros. You should definitely reviews and read through customer reviews to get a good sound pressure meter that can give accurate results.


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• When measuring, follow the device manufacturer's operating instructions exactly so that the result is not falsified.

Measure sound level with cell phone

You can even measure the sound pressure with your mobile phone - an app makes it possible.

• You can get such apps from various providers for free download, as long as your mobile phone is suitable for it.
• However, it should be more of a gimmick that can only roughly measure the volume. But these apps at least give you a clue as to whether you should perhaps be a little quieter at your party so that an ad doesn't flutter into the house the next day.

If you don't have a suitable measuring device or a volume app for your mobile phone, then you should be able to use other clear indications that you have recognize the volume produced: Knocking sounds come up from the flat below, the neighbor rings the doorbell or one of the party guests is wearing a dark green one Uniform.

Loudness guidelines

Since the legislator also knows how nerve-wracking and even harmful to health excessive noise can be, there are guidelines for the permissible volume at the workplace, in private homes and others areas.

• In residential areas, for example, a limit of 55 dB (A) applies from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., in an industrial area it may be approx. be 70 dB (A).
• Is the volume or the sound pressure at over 85 dB (A), this can already cause hearing damage.

You can find more information in decibel tables on the Internet.