What does the abbreviation 'dB' stand for in the context of sound measurement?

The abbreviation 'dB' stands for decibel, which is a unit that measures the intensity of sound. This logarithmic scale quantifies sound levels, which allows for a more manageable representation of the wide range of pressures that can be detected by the human ear. Decibels often express ratios, such as the power of sound relative to a reference level, typically the threshold of hearing. This means a change of 10 dB corresponds to a tenfold change in intensity, making the scale particularly useful for sound measurement, given that the human perception of sound is logarithmic rather than linear.

Understanding decibels is crucial in audiology and hearing instrument fitting, as hearing specialists need to interpret sound levels to assess hearing capabilities and create appropriate hearing solutions for clients.