The sound level meter will measure the noise in each of these octave bands, either all at the same time known as Real-Time Octave Band Filters, or Parallel filters or by switching to one band at a time known as Serial Filters. Understanding the individual frequency makeup of a noise source can give clues on sources of noise, direct what Hearing PPE is required as well as direct us to where we need to concentrate noise control efforts. The advantage of real-time octave band filters to do this is that these measurements can be made automatically at the touch of a button so that none of the bands miss any of the noise during a specific measurement period; in reality this means that overall measurement times can be a lot shorter compared with using serial filters.
The graph below shows a typical octave band spectrum. In this case you can clearly see that the 1kHz and 2kHz bands are showing much higher levels than the others. If you were trying to reduce the noise then efforts should be directed to reducing noise in these frequency bands, incidentally these frequency bands are where the human ear is most sensitive.
If you were trying to find the correct hearing PPE, then you would use this information together with the manufactures data on hearing protection to find out the correct level of attenuation for the type of noise you wanted to protect against. The key difference is that each of the 10 Octave Bands is split again into three, giving an even more detailed description of the frequency content of the noise. This level of information is certainly not required for noise at work measurements, and although much information to the contrary, is rarely needed in reality in measuring environment noise.
An octave band is a frequency band where the highest frequency is twice the lowest frequency. To learn more about octave bands and other acoustic terms that will help you to use and understand your noise measuring equipment better, check out our FREE guide to noise terminology. Need to measure noise at work? Check it out. Measuring personal noise exposure? Check out the Professional doseBadge 5 The Professional doseBadge 5 is an advanced noise dosimeter for the measurement of personal noise exposure levels in the workplace.
Monitoring environmental noise? About Latest Posts. Clarke is a Senior Marketing Executive and is responsible for helping people to find Cirrus Research's innovative noise measurement solutions by using all aspects of the marketing mix. He particularly enjoys writing content about product applications, including noise nuisance, occupational noise and environmental noise pollution.
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