Introduction
Noise dose is a concept used to measure the effects of noise on a person’s health. This concept is used to assess the amount of noise a person is exposed to over a period of time and determine whether it is potentially hazardous to their health. Noise dose is often used in occupational settings to monitor noise exposure levels and ensure that workers are kept safe from long-term hearing damage. This article will discuss the concept of noise dose, its applications, and the importance of tracking noise exposure levels.
What is Noise Dose?
Noise dose is a concept that is used to measure the effects of noise on a person’s health. It is calculated by taking the average intensity of sound and multiplying it by its duration. This gives a measure of the total amount of noise that was absorbed by the person over a given time period. In occupational settings, noise dose is used to assess the amount of noise that someone is exposed to over an eight-hour period, and determine whether it is potentially hazardous to their health.
Applications
Noise dose is used in various occupational settings to protect workers from the potential health effects of noise exposure. It is used to determine if the noise levels in a workplace are within the acceptable levels determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and to ensure that workers are not exposed to levels of noise that could potentially cause hearing damage. Additionally, noise dose can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of hearing protection devices or engineering controls that are used to reduce noise levels.
Importance of Tracking Noise Levels
It is important to track noise levels in order to protect workers from the potential health risks of long-term noise exposure. Noise dose is a useful tool for monitoring noise levels and ensuring that workers are not exposed to hazardous levels of noise. It is important to note that noise dose does not directly measure noise levels, but rather it is used to assess the potential health risks associated with long-term exposure to noise.
Conclusion
Noise dose is a concept used to measure the effects of noise on a person’s health. It is used in occupational settings to assess the amount of noise a person is exposed to over a period of time and determine whether it is potentially hazardous to their health. Noise dose is an important tool for tracking noise levels and ensuring that workers are not exposed to levels of noise that could potentially cause hearing damage.
References
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2020). OSHA’s noise standards. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.95
Shen, X., & Chen, X. (2011). A review of noise dose and its estimation. Applied Acoustics, 72(12), 963-972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2011.06.007
Vizcaychipi, M. P., & Broughton, J. (2017). Noise dose: A review. International Journal of Audiology, 56(5), 290-298. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2016.1238915