Using Smart Devices to Measure Intermittent Noise in the Workplace

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Acoustics
• Industrial Hygiene

Background:

• Workplace noise exposure is a significant occupational health concern.
• Accurate noise measurement is crucial for assessing risks and implementing controls.
• Traditional noise dosimeters can be expensive and cumbersome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy of smart devices (iPods) for measuring intermittent workplace noise.
• To assess the ability of smart devices to integrate noise dose information.

Main Methods:

• Experiment 1: iPods and Larson Davis Spark dosimeters were exposed to controlled noise in a sound chamber.
• Experiment 2: Maintenance and office workers wore paired iPods and dosimeters during work shifts.
• Statistical analysis, including mixed effects linear regression, was used to compare measurements.

Main Results:

• In controlled conditions, iPod measurements were within ±2.0 dBA of dosimeters.
• Time-weighted average (TWA) differences in controlled tests were generally within ±0.5 dBA.
• In real-world work settings, iPods measured an average of 1.7 dBA higher than dosimeters for 8-hour TWAs.

Conclusions:

• Smart devices (iPods) demonstrate potential for reasonably accurate workplace noise measurements.
• However, they are not as precise as dedicated occupational noise dosimeters.
• Further research may refine the use of consumer electronics for industrial hygiene applications.