Loud noises can cause permanent damage to your ears.If you work in or spend a lot of time in loud spaces such as industrial workplaces, construction sites, concerts, or sporting events, you may be exposed to harmful sound levels.Measure the noise levels using a traditional sound level meter or a phone app in order to determine what kind of precautions you should take to protect your hearing.It is very easy to do and will give you the data you need to make sure your hearing is healthy.
Step 1: To get an accurate reading use a class 1 or class 2 sound level meter.
Class 1SLMs can be used for lab-quality sound level measurements.Class 2SLMs are still suitable for most general sound level measurement purposes.Anything less than a class 2 SLM is not accurate.Both class 1 and class 2SLMs can be used to take noise measurements.Class 1 slMs are the most expensive.If you want to know if you need to take a more precise measurement with a class 1 or class 2 SLM, you can use a rough preliminary measurement that lets you know.You can find a sound level meter online.The class 2 meters start at $150 and the class 1 meters at $350.
Step 2: The manufacturer has instructions on how to Calibrate the sound level meter.
calibrate your SLM before useRefer to the owner's manual for instructions on how to calibrate it.If you don't have a manual for your sound level meter, you can find it online.Look up a manual for your SLM model by brand and name on a search engine to find exact instructions.If you mount the acoustic calibrator over the microphone, you can calibrate the meter.It emits a constant sound level of 93 decibels for the microphone to read in order to calibrate itself.
Step 3: The sound level meter is in front of you.
The SLM should be held with 1 or both hands.If you want it to pick up sounds at the same level as your ears, hold it at ear height.If you consult the manufacturer's instructions, you can point the mic directly at the noise source.
Step 4: To take the noise measurement, turn on the sound level meter.
When you switch on the sound level meters, they take the measurement.You have to press an additional button to take the measurement.If you want to measure intermittent sound levels, some advanced models allow you to do it at different intervals.
Step 5: You can get the sound pressure level by reading the number on the display screen.
There is a number on the screen that tells you the sound pressure level.A-weighted decibels are adjusted to compensate for the way the human ear hears sound.A 100dB sound pressure level at 100 hertz would be heard by the human ear at the same loudness as 80dB.Aweighted decibel readings give you a better idea of how your hearing may be affected by noise at different frequencies by telling you at what volume your ears hear the sound, rather than just the overall loudness.After 8 hours of listening, noise levels higher than 85dB can damage the human ear.After just 15 minutes, noise levels of 100dB can damage your hearing.
Step 6: You can download a sound level meter app.
If you're looking for a sound meter or decibel meter, use a term like "sound meter" or "decibel meter." Download and install an app that has a good rating.There are some top-rated sound level meter apps available for both the iPad and the phone.
Step 7: Measure sound levels by opening the app.
Hold your phone in front of you or place it on a flat surface to measure sound levels.To get ready to take a measurement, open up the sound level meter app that you downloaded.You could use an app to measure the sound levels at a concert, sporting event, workplace or other noisy space.You can determine if the sound levels are harmful.When you launch an app, it will show you a constant sound level measurement.
Step 8: You can start recording a sound level measurement by pressing the start or run button.
Different apps have different start and run buttons that you need to press to record a sound measurement.Press the button if you want to start recording.There is a triangular play-type button in the lower left-hand corner of the NIOSH app.Some apps only show you instantaneous sound levels.
Step 9: The sound level measurement can be stopped with the stop or pause button.
There is a button on the screen.You can stop recording the sound level measurement by pressing it.There is a button to start over if you recorded too long or too short.
Step 10: To get the sound level, read the metrics on the screen.
There are different apps that show the sound level in decibels.LAeq is also sometimes referred to as dbA.The metrics include the total run time, instantaneous dB, LAeq, max sound level, and a time weighted average for the noise level.You can save measurement recordings and view them over time graphs with some apps.You can get to know all the features and settings by playing around with whichever app you downloaded.A-rated decibels are adjusted according to the way the human ear hears sound.80dB is equivalent to 100dB at 100hertz.A decibel reading tells you how loud the sound is, instead of its actual volume.