Hazardous noise at work can cause permanent hearing loss. The NIOSH Sound Level Meter (SLM) app, from CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, lets people measure noise in their own workplace and make informed decisions about their exposure. The free app combines the best features of professional sound level meters and noise dosimeters in one simple tool.
Image from CDC's page on the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app.
What it does
- Built by experienced acoustics engineers and hearing-loss experts, then tested and validated.
- Measures noise accurately on any iOS device (iPhone or iPad).
- Reports the metrics found in professional instruments.
- Explains hazardous noise levels, how to take measurements, how to choose hearing protection, and hearing-loss guidelines.
- Puts users in touch with NIOSH hearing experts for technical support.
- Lets users report and share their data.
Technical specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Within ±2 dBA, tested to standards in a reverberant chamber at the NIOSH acoustics laboratory |
| Standard | Meets Type 2 requirements of the IEC 61672-3 sound level meter standard when used with a calibrated external microphone |
| Metrics | Averages such as LAeq and TWA (time-weighted average), maximum and peak levels, noise dose and projected dose |
| Frequency weightings | All three major networks: A, C and Z |
| Calibration | Internal or external microphone |
Why only iPhone and iPad?
Apple devices share a common hardware and software design that is optimized for audio, so NIOSH could verify the app works as expected on any of them. Android devices come from many manufacturers with different microphones, audio chips and software, so NIOSH's lab can't currently verify an Android version's accuracy.
Getting it
The app is free on the Apple App Store. NIOSH provides a help guide covering its features, and users can email NIOSH's noise research team with feedback or questions. NIOSH scientists have also published studies evaluating smartphone sound-measurement apps, their accuracy with external microphones and their compliance with international standards.
Sources
Based on "Sound Level Meter App," National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from www.cdc.gov
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