- breathing (10 dB)
- birds singing (20 dB)
- whispering (30 dB)
- talking (50 dB)
- washing machine (60 dB)
- TV (70 dB)
- motorcycle (80 dB)
- thunder (110 dB)
- rocket (140 dB)
I showed the students a sound meter app I downloaded for my phone, and we tried it out in the classroom. This photo shows the sound level in our classroom when everyone is quiet, when there is regular conversation going on, and when they are really loud (L-R).
I mentioned how, when I was at the Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild game on Tuesday, I measured the sound using this app at the end of the game, after the Jets won in overtime, when the team saluted the fans, and the fans cheered in response (I meant to measure the sound if the Jets scored in overtime, but I was too busy yelling when Byfuglian scored, and subsequently forgot!), and the sound level reached 103 dB. We then talked about the importance of hearing protection, and how I have decided to look into getting custom ear plugs made for me this summer... as being exposed to those loud levels of sound +20 times/season is probably not the best for my hearing (I do wear disposable ear plugs to rock concerts, btw)! Here is an interesting piece from the Winnipeg Free Press that they published back in 2012, regarding how loud the MTS Centre gets during Jets games.
The students brainstormed a list of devices that help people to hear sounds that are not loud enough for them to hear clearly on their own, including:
- hearing aids
- speaker/microphone
- bullhorn
- walkie-talkie
- whistles
Lastly, the students were asked to think about how their life would change if they couldn't hear, and what adaptations they'd need to make - here are some of the ideas they came up with:
- you'd have to use sign language to talk to people
- you'd have to use the words that pop up on your computer screen/TV (closed captioning)
- you might need to get a service dog to help you
- you wouldn't be able to hear the sounds your pets made
- you'd have to be extra careful to look for different signs that objects (like cars) were getting close to you because you couldn't hear them approaching
Lastly, the students were asked to think about how their life would change if they couldn't hear, and what adaptations they'd need to make - here are some of the ideas they came up with:
- you'd have to use sign language to talk to people
- you'd have to use the words that pop up on your computer screen/TV (closed captioning)
- you might need to get a service dog to help you
- you wouldn't be able to hear the sounds your pets made
- you'd have to be extra careful to look for different signs that objects (like cars) were getting close to you because you couldn't hear them approaching
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