DecibelWert

DecibelWert is a term used in German-language texts to denote a numerical value on the decibel scale that describes a level of sound or related quantities such as power or pressure ratios. A decibel value is a dimensionless quantity that expresses a ratio through a logarithm, making the scale relative rather than absolute. Because the decibel expresses ratios, a DecibelWert always requires a reference level to have context.

In acoustics, the most common form is the sound pressure level, denoted dB SPL. Here the value is computed as Lp = 20 log10(p/p0), with p being the sound pressure and p0 a reference pressure of 20 micro Pascals in air at 1 kHz. Other common forms include dB re 1 µPa or dB re 1 mW/m² for different reference quantities. Weighting schemes such as dB(A) and dB(C) modify the value to reflect human hearing sensitivity or specific measurement goals.

Applications of DecibelWert occur across audio engineering, environmental noise assessment, workplace safety, and consumer electronics. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, equal increments do not represent equal changes in physical quantity; for example, a 3 dB change corresponds to a doubling or halving of power, while a 6 dB change corresponds to a doubling of sound pressure.

Typical references help interpretation: whisper around 30 dB, normal conversation about 60 dB, city traffic around 85 dB, and pain thresholds near 120 dB. Values can be negative if they fall below the chosen reference level, and proper interpretation depends on measurement conditions, including weighting, bandwidth, and calibration.