Decibel levels can be subjective, and the perception of sound can vary from person to person. However, there is a general guideline that an increase of 3 decibels is considered a noticeable difference in sound level.
In the case of a 38 decibel and a 44 decibel dishwasher, the 44 decibel dishwasher would be approximately 6 decibels louder than the 38 decibel one. This difference is likely to be perceptible, although it may not be significantly loud.
To put it into perspective, a 6 decibel increase can be likened to the sound of light traffic or a refrigerator's hum compared to a quiet library. While both noise levels are relatively low, you may notice a slightly higher noise level with the 44 decibel dishwasher.
It's important to note that the sound produced by dishwashers can vary depending on factors such as the design, insulation, and distance from the source. If possible, it can be helpful to listen to the dishwasher models in person or refer to customer reviews to gauge their noise levels more accurately based on real-world experiences.