[bigben2k]

That's the problem; when you say "...to me...", it's not something that anyone else can relate to (i.e. subjective). Same for the environment.

It's hard to discuss sound levels. dB ratings do not account for the pitch of the noise either; some cannot tolerate a high pitch at a low level, others simply can't hear it, but the dB rating is exactly the same.

To make things worse, it's not even possible to attach a sound clip to this thread, and have everyone listen to it; you can't guarantee the actual sound level.

I've even given some thought on how people could make a "standard" sound using standard household items, and came up empty.

I'm down to a simple speaker and a frequency generator (at a specific wave / amplitude / frequencies), but few have one. Speakers respond differently...