The loudest sneeze in the world, according to several sources, was recorded at 176 decibels by Yi Yang, a man from China. This is significantly louder than an airhorn, which typically reaches around 129 decibels.
Understanding the Measurement
Decibels (dB) are a logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity. A small increase in decibels represents a large increase in sound power. For context:
- 176 dB (Yi Yang's sneeze): Extremely loud; potentially causing pain and even damage to hearing at close range.
- 129 dB (Airhorn): Very loud; can be painful and cause temporary hearing loss.
- 120 dB (Threshold of pain): Prolonged exposure can cause permanent hearing damage.
Further Considerations and Anecdotal Evidence
While Yi Yang's sneeze holds the recorded record, anecdotal evidence suggests even louder sneezes may exist. Online forums and discussions mention incredibly loud sneezes, but without verified measurements, they remain unconfirmed. For example, one Reddit user recounts a particularly loud sneeze from an uncle heard from a considerable distance. This highlights the difficulty in verifying claims about the loudest sneeze without proper documentation and sound level measurement.
Several sources mention that the search for the world's loudest sneeze often leads to various videos and forums, many focusing on funny or unusual sneezes rather than verified record-breaking attempts. These videos, while entertaining, do not offer scientifically measured decibel levels to back their claims.
