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Gunnar Taraldsen1, Truls Berge1, Frode Haukland1

  • 1Acoustics Research Centre SINTEF and The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7465 Trondheim, Norway Gunnar.Taraldsen@sintef.no, Truls.Berge@sintef.no, Frode.Haukland@sintef.no.

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Estimating mean sound exposure level requires understanding measurement uncertainty. This study derives new formulas for standard uncertainty, offering a reliable method even when standard approaches fail, with a theoretical foundation for decibel scale translation.

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Area of Science:

  • Acoustics and Measurement Science
  • Metrology and Uncertainty Quantification

Background:

  • Mean sound exposure level is typically estimated using the average of repeated measurements.
  • Accurate quantification of uncertainty is crucial for reliable sound level assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To derive a formula for standard uncertainty in sound exposure level estimation based on the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM).
  • To develop an alternative formula for situations where the GUM method is insufficient.
  • To provide a theoretically founded method for translating uncertainty from an energy scale to the decibel scale.

Main Methods:

  • Derivation of standard uncertainty formulas following GUM principles.
  • Development of an alternative uncertainty formula for specific failure cases of GUM.
  • Application and comparison of derived formulas with Monte Carlo simulations for validation.

Main Results:

  • A GUM-based formula for standard uncertainty in mean sound exposure level was derived.
  • An alternative formula was successfully developed for cases where GUM fails.
  • The derived formulas showed good agreement with Monte Carlo calculations.

Conclusions:

  • The recommended formula provides a theoretically sound and practical method for uncertainty estimation in sound level measurements.
  • This approach offers a convenient translation of uncertainty from the energy scale to the decibel scale.
  • The study enhances the reliability of sound exposure level assessments in acoustics and metrology.