Bernini L, Ghimenti G
Ann Ist Super Sanita. 1977;13(1-2):51-66.
In the present report a method for the practical noise measurement in the factory environment is developed. The acoustic noise present is normally composed of the noise emitted from several machines more or less simultaneously and the measurement problem often consists in determining an average noise level that is then compared with some accepted noise criteria and on the basis of this comparison decisions may be taken as to necessary changes in the environment. The method extends the dynamic referred to as "impulse" use, that is a characteristic meter response which closely approaches the rise time of the human ear and stores, averages and forgets the short duration signal in a way similar to that of the human brain. The measured average noise level gives a better explanation of the audiometrically detectable occupation noise-induced hearing loss.