Sound signal power is not accumulative, means that the pressure would not add more if we apply more sound. So, in this case, if the ambient sound is already 40dB, than you cannot measure sound less than that. Different from light, if you measure the ambient is about 1Cd, a 0,5Cd light can be measure by offset zero the ambient light. For sound, I'm sure there's an offset setting technique but...I don't know where.
Build a silencer for the room to create quieter room with no reverb.