Vocal loudness scale is a scale from 1 to 7 that we use to describe the loudness of a person’s typical speaking voice as compared with one’s experience of the rest of the human race. For example, someone whose vocal loudness seems to be unexceptional and does not draw any attention to itself—average, in other words—might be considered a “4.” The person who speaks so softly that everyone who encounters him or her has to strain to understand might be a “1.” The person whose voice is (often unconsciously) so loud that one needs to step back or hold the telephone away from the ear might be considered a “7.”

See also: disorder of vocal loudness perception.