How is noise level typically measured?

Noise levels are typically measured using a dB scale, where "dB" stands for decibel. This scale is logarithmic, meaning that an increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in the intensity of the sound. The dB scale is widely accepted for quantifying sound levels because it aligns more closely with human perception of loudness, allowing for effective communication about sound intensity levels in environments where noise exposure is a concern.

Options like a linear scale do not account for the logarithmic nature of human hearing, and visual inspection is not a reliable or standardized method for measuring sound intensity. While frequency-weighted scales do analyze the effects of frequency on perceived loudness, the dB scale remains the standard for straightforward noise level measurements. Thus, using the dB scale provides an accurate representation of noise levels as perceived by the human ear, making it the most valid choice.