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159 Hearing Protection: Basic
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Noise Survey Instruments

Noise Dosimeter

A dosimeter is like a sound level meter except that it stores sound level measurements and integrates these measurements over time, providing an average noise exposure reading for a given period of time, such as an 8-hour workday.

Noise dosimeter attached to a worker.

Dosimeters can be used to:

  • Make compliance measurements according to OSHA's noise standard.
  • Measure the employee's exposure to noise and automatically compute the necessary noise dose calculations.

With a dosimeter, a microphone is attached to the employee's clothing and the exposure measurement is simply read at the end of the desired time period. A reader may be used to read-out the dosimeter's measurements. Since the dosimeter is worn by the employee, it measures noise levels in those locations in which the employee travels.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-10. Which type of measurement instrument provides an average noise exposure reading for a given period of time?