IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Development of a method for measuring effective intra-aural noise exposure for use in the workplace

Abstract

Despite efforts to reduce noise at the source, workplace noise exposure is still a major issue in Québec. Measuring noise exposure is important for assessing corrective solutions designed to protect workers.

However, noise measurement using current methods involves a number of problems:
- it is typically done intermittently in time and space, thus failing to capture significant noise variations that a worker may be exposed to in the workplace
- it is not done directly at the level of the worker’s ear, which complicates its interpretation, especially if personal protective equipment is blocking the auditory canal.

The purpose of this research is to develop algorithms to measure intra-aural noise exposure, as well as a portable system prototype that can reliably measure noise levels in different noise and hearing protection conditions.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 2013-0017
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2020
Team: