to some degree, the db-sec measure could become unmanageable, as the longer the input the louder the output is likely to be; that is, the db-sec scale could be logarithmic or parabolic or something like that. (and who would want to do the empirical work?) so, in the interest of expediencies, I'd go with db/sec. making it into an index, bigger numbers would indicate more... er... less pain....

btw, coincidentally (or not) the verb 'ted' means to spread out, scatter, or strew abroad for drying -- it seems to apply to making hay, but it seems ripe for transferral.