Explanation of DBA Ratings for Dishwashers

Decibels and Hearing

• Loud noises can induce hearing loss. For very loud noises, those over 85 dB, damage is caused from repeated or prolonged exposure. Gunshots and firecrackers rate at 120-150 dB, and a single explosion can cause permanent damage to the ear structures. Lower noises, that measure below 75 dB, are unlikely to cause any damage, even if listened to for long periods of time.

Dishwasher Noise

• Dishwashers range in decibels anywhere from 42 decibels to above 70. Older or less expensive models tend to be the noisiest, with newer models having implemented noise-reducing technology like using soundproof materials to cut noise polution even further. Most dishwashers have dBA ratings of less than 55 and are considered by manufacterors to be the “very quiet” models.

Deciphering dBA

• These ratings are listed on the dishwasher's description as “00 dBA,” depending on the noise level of the unit during operation. The lower the number, the quieter the unit. Some dishwashers, such as those made by General Electric, offer sound packages that are installed based on your dishwasher's location in the kitchen, to further reduce sound. For instance, a dishwasher installed in an island is likely to be louder than one installed against an exterior wall, so a sound package can be added to bring down the dBA rating.

Dealing with Noise

• If you are stuck with a noisy dishwasher that interferes with normal conversation while you are in the room with it,you have several options. You can run it at night, or when you are out of the house. If this is not practical, simply vacating the room it is in while it runs may be an option. In extreme cases, earmuffs or earplugs to muffle the sound may be helpful. If your dishwasher has become too great a disturbance, it might be worth investing in a new unit with a lower dBA rating.