AVIXA Recognized AV Technologist Test

It requires a _____ dB change for people to perceive a change in sound that is either twice or half as loud.

1. 1

2. 15

3. 5

4. 10

The correct answer is: 10

A change of approximately 10 dB is often considered the threshold at which people can perceive a change in loudness that makes sound seem either twice as loud or half as loud. This concept is rooted in the logarithmic nature of sound perception; specifically, human hearing operates on a logarithmic scale where each increase of about 10 dB roughly corresponds to a perceived doubling of loudness. This means that when sound intensity increases by this amount, the perception to the human ear aligns with a significant change in loudness, resulting in an auditory experience that feels notably different. The rule of thumb is widely accepted in acoustics and sound engineering, making it a fundamental reference point for understanding loudness perception.