Is NIOSH Sound Level Meter free?
Noise-induced hearing loss is a significant health issue in occupational settings. Over exposure to sound levels above 85 decibels can lead to irreversible hearing damage. With the advent of industrialization, the importance of monitoring sound levels in the workplace and general environment has increased. According to the CDC, 22 million US workers are exposed to hazardous noise each year.
The NIOSH Sound Level Meter app was developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to help monitor environmental noise levels. This article provides an overview of the NIOSH SLM app, its key features, accuracy, benefits, limitations, and tips for effective usage.
What is the NIOSH Sound Level Meter App?
The NIOSH Sound Level Meter App was developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to help measure sound exposure levels in workplace and environmental settings (NIOSH, 2022). It is available as a free mobile application for iOS and Android devices.
The app features professional-grade sound measurement tools like a sound level meter, octave band analyzer, noise dosimeter, and reverberation time meter. It can measure sound levels in A, C, and Z-weighted decibels and offers slow, fast, and impulsive response rates (NIOSH, 2017). Some key functionality includes the ability to save measurement data, photos, and audio recordings; set thresholds and alerts; calibrate measurements; log GPS coordinates; and even measure vibrating surfaces using the device’s accelerometer.
Overall, the NIOSH SLM app provides a free, easy-to-use tool for occupational and environmental sound level monitoring using a standard smartphone or tablet.
Is the NIOSH SLM App Free to Download?
Yes, the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app is completely free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees required to use the app.
According to the app description on the Apple App Store, “This award-winning app combines the best features of professional sound level meters and noise dosimeters into a simple, easy-to-use package” (NIOSH Sound Level Meter on the App Store).
The NIOSH SLM app was developed by experts at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a government agency, NIOSH offers the app for free as a public health service.
Users can download the NIOSH SLM app on any Apple or Android mobile device at no cost. All of the app’s measurement tools and features are fully accessible without any subscriptions or in-app purchases required.
Key Features of the Free App
The NIOSH Sound Level Meter app has several useful features that make it a valuable noise monitoring tool. Some of the key features include:
Measures sound levels in A-weighted decibels – The app measures sound levels in dBA, which is the A-weighted decibel scale that best reflects how humans perceive loudness. The app can measure sounds from 30 dBA to 130 dBA.
Displays sound measurements on screen – It provides a digital readout of the real-time sound level on the screen. This allows you to see the sound level at any given moment.
Customizable exposure thresholds and alerts – You can set customizable alerts that will notify you when sound levels exceed the thresholds you define. This is helpful for monitoring noise exposures over time.
Overall, the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app provides many of the key functionality of a professional sound level meter in an easy-to-use smartphone app. The A-weighted measurements, on-screen display, and customizable alerts make it useful for monitoring noise levels in various environments. See the NIOSH website for full details on the app’s capabilities.1
How Accurate Are the Measurements?
The NIOSH Sound Level Meter app meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard for general environmental noise measurement instrumentation. Specifically, it conforms to the ANSI S1.4 Type 2 standard, which specifies accuracy requirements for sound level meters.
According to testing conducted by NIOSH, the app provides sound level measurements accurate to ±2 decibels (dB) when tested according to IEC 61672-3 standards in a reverberant chamber. This level of accuracy is suitable for occupational and general environmental noise assessments.
While not as precise as professional sound level meters used in acoustics testing labs, which can cost thousands of dollars, the NIOSH app provides measurements accurate enough for most occupational health and safety noise assessments. For a free smartphone app, it provides reasonably good accuracy compared to a Type 2 professional sound level meter.
Overall, the app should give users a good general indication of sound levels in their environment, though for official compliance testing, a certified Type 1 or Type 2 sound level meter would provide superior accuracy.
Benefits of Using the App
The NIOSH SLM app provides several key benefits for monitoring sound exposure and preventing noise-induced hearing loss. According to the CDC, the app allows users to “Monitor sound levels and prevent hearing damage.” By providing real-time sound measurements, the app helps identify when noise levels become potentially dangerous so that users can take steps to protect their hearing.
Another major benefit noted by the National Institute for Deafness is that the app can “Identify noisy areas and sources.” The app makes it easy to measure sound levels in different locations and pinpoint specific equipment or activities producing excessive noise. This allows users to target noise control efforts where they are needed most.
The app also enables users to “Assess effectiveness of noise controls.” By taking readings before and after implementing noise reduction strategies, the app helps evaluate how well those controls are working to bring down unsafe decibel levels. This data-driven approach improves hearing conservation programs.
Limitations of the App
The NIOSH Sound Level Meter app has some limitations compared to professional-grade sound measurement equipment:
The app is generally not as accurate as using a professional sound level meter according to sources like the Canadian Audiologist which states “For example, the AudioTools app for iOS and Android only measured the average sound level over one minute and did not provide a minimum or maximum.” (Source)
Its accuracy can be affected by the specific phone model and microphone quality. According to Cirrus Research, “Another recent test of a sound level meter app using a new iPad showed a discrepancy of up to 10dB between measurements.” (Source)
The positioning of the phone can also impact results as the microphone needs to be pointed properly towards the sound source. Overall the app provides approximate guidance but may not have the precision of lab-grade equipment.
Who Can Benefit from Using the App?
The NIOSH Sound Level Meter app can be a useful tool for several groups including:
Workers in noisy environments – The app allows workers in factories, construction sites, concerts, and other loud workplaces to easily measure noise exposure levels. This can help identify potential hearing hazards and determine if noise controls or protective equipment may be needed, as cited by the CDC (1).
Health and safety professionals – Occupational health and safety specialists, industrial hygienists, and other professionals can utilize the app to conduct noise surveys and assess risks at workplaces. The data can inform efforts to implement hearing conservation programs, engineering controls, or administrative policies to protect workers’ hearing, according to NIOSH (2).
Researchers and students – The app provides a free, accessible tool for researchers, students, and other interested parties to measure and study noise levels in various environments. It can be used for science projects, industrial hygiene research, or occupational health studies, as noted by OSHA (3).
By providing free, easy access to a sound level meter, the NIOSH app makes it possible for these groups to monitor noise levels and promote hearing health and safety, especially in work environments.
(1) https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html
(2) https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html
(3) https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/noise/health_effects/soundlevelmeter.html
Expert Tips for Usage
To get the most accurate measurements from the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app, experts recommend following these tips:
Proper calibration and phone positioning – The app will prompt you to calibrate your phone’s microphone when you first open it. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully, holding your phone in your hand at around arm’s length pointed towards the sound source. Keep the phone in the same position while taking measurements for consistency.
Use with headphones – Using headphones while running the app can impact the sound measurements. Remove any headphones before calibrating or taking readings. The headphones can act as an obstacle blocking some of the sound waves.
Check battery charge – Having sufficient battery charge is important for consistent, accurate measurements. The app may stop sampling sound if the phone battery gets too low. Make sure your phone is adequately charged before use.
Citations:
https://decibelpro.app/blog/how-to-use-a-sound-level-meter/
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/47805-The-best-phone-apps-to-measure-noise-levels
Conclusion
The NIOSH Sound Level Meter app provides a free and accessible way for anyone to monitor sound levels using just their smartphone. As covered in this article, the app allows users to easily take sound level measurements and monitor noise exposure over time. Key features like data logging, calibration, and selectable measurement parameters make it a useful tool. While this basic functionality comes at no cost, the app has limitations compared to professional-grade sound level meters. The microphone quality and accuracy is not as high, so measurements may not be reliable enough for occupational or regulatory compliance purposes.
However, for general awareness and educational purposes, the NIOSH SLM app empowers people to be informed about their environmental noise exposure. Workers, students, or anyone concerned about the impacts of noise can benefit from using this app to take initial sound level readings. Just keep in mind that professional assessments should follow if concerning noise levels are detected consistently. Overall, the availability of this free app helps promote hearing health and noise control by making sound level monitoring easy and accessible to all.