You have probably heard of STC and IIC but what do these mean and measure in acoustics? In this blog we will cover the core acoustic measurements.
When it comes to creating a comfortable, quiet environment in your home or workspace, understanding sound levels is essential. Studies have shown that our ears are highly sensitive to changes in noise, particularly when it comes to decibels (dB).
A sound is perceived as twice as loud when the sound level increases by just 10 decibels. This means that even small changes in sound can have a significant impact on your overall comfort.
| Sound Awareness | Change in sound pressure (dB) |
| Insignificant | 1 |
| Just perceptible | 3 |
| Clearly noticeable | 5 |
| Twice or half as loud | 10 |
| Significant | 20 |
What does this mean for your space?
Imagine you're relaxing in your living room or working in your office. The sound of a conversation is about 60 dB, while a vacuum cleaner hums at about 70 dB. The difference is only 10 dB, but it can feel like the noise is suddenly twice as loud.
It’s easy to underestimate the effect small changes in sound can have on our daily lives. A drop in noise by just a few decibels can make a world of difference in how we experience a space.