We are excited to have you join us for an amazing educational line up, check out the agenda below for the 2025 Conference. Please note that this agenda is subject to change.
Impulsive noise is generated by the rapid release of compressed gases (impulse) or by the collision of solid objects (impact) and is most common in metalworking, construction, shipyard, and mining industries as well as law enforcement and the military. Research on the effect of complex (mixed steady state and impulsive) noise on hearing health suggests it may be more damaging than an equal amount of energy from steady state noise. There is also concern that repetitive low-level blast exposures might result in chronic brain health problems. Unfortunately, no commercial noise dosimeter currently measures complex noise accurately. We report on the collaborative development of a dual-microphone noise dosimeter with a wide dynamic range of 40 dBA up to 185 dB Peak with a sampling rate of up to 96 kHz. Real-time processing accounts for both steady-state and impulses into the calculation of total noise dose, records individual impulses that exceed a pre-specified threshold, and counts the number of impulses. We present data obtained in the laboratory with comparison to reference equipment, as well as in field settings, including military weapons training. We conclude on the utility of the device and future development needed to integrate it into occupational health programs.
