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Sound level measurements using smartphone "apps": useful or inaccurate?
Daniel R Nast, William S Speer, Colleen G Le Prell1
1Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
Noise & Health
|September 12, 2014
Summary
Mobile apps can measure recreational noise, but accuracy varies. One iPhone app closely matched professional sound level meters, offering a reliable tool for assessing hearing hazards from loud activities.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Environmental Health
- Mobile Technology
Background:
- Recreational activities often involve high sound levels, posing hearing risks.
- Accurate sound measurements are crucial for assessing these hearing hazards.
- Traditional sound level meters (SLMs) are technical and not readily available in recreational settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of mobile phone applications for measuring sound levels.
- To compare app-based sound measurements with those from a calibrated SLM.
- To identify reliable mobile tools for assessing recreational noise exposure.
Main Methods:
- Five sound level meter (SLM) applications on an Apple iPhone 4S were tested.
- App measurements were compared against a calibrated professional SLM.
- Accuracy was assessed across various frequencies.
Main Results:
- Most tested applications overestimated sound levels compared to the calibrated SLM.
- One specific mobile application demonstrated high accuracy, with measurements within 5 dB of the SLM.
- This accurate app performed consistently across all tested frequencies.
Conclusions:
- Mobile applications show potential for measuring recreational sound levels.
- A significant variation in accuracy exists among different sound level meter apps.
- One tested iPhone application offers a viable and accurate alternative to traditional SLMs for assessing noise-induced hearing risks.
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