How to Select Hearing Protection Using SNR, HML and Octave Band Methods
21st Sep 2023
PPE should always be regarded as a ‘last resort’ to protect against risks to safety and health in the workplace. The provision of personal hearing protection is no different. You…
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How to Control Workplace Noise: A 5-Step Compliance Guide
12th Oct 2021
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is one of the most prevalent, but often ignored, risks in the workplace. Throughout all industries, industrial hearing loss remains the occupational disease with the highest…
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A, C and Z Frequency Weightings: What’s the Difference?
22nd Jul 2021
Understanding the difference between noise frequency weightings is one of the most important things you need to know about when measuring sound. This is because picking the wrong sound level…
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Sound Level Meter vs Noise Dosimeter: When to Use Each
26th Mar 2020
Which to choose, a sound level meter or a noise dosimeter? To understand when you should use a sound level meter (SLM) to measure noise or a noise dosimeter we…
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Decibel Level Chart: Common Sound Levels and Safe Noise Exposure
16th Jul 2019
When you measure noise levels with a sound level meter, you measure the intensity of noise called decibel units (dB). A sound meter uses a display with a decibel range…
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What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss? Causes, Symptoms & Prevention
09th Jul 2019
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is permanent hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels. It occurs when the delicate hair cells inside the cochlea of the inner ear…
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Managing Hearing Protection Zones
29th May 2019
Wearing ear defenders is not always popular with staff exposed to industrial noise. So does interactive noise warning technology offer alternatives? When Is Hearing Protection Legally Required? Picture this, you’ve…
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Sound Meter App Accuracy: Are They Reliable for Workplace Noise Measurements?
05th Apr 2019
Pulsar Instruments takes a look at why you should buy professional sound level meters from an established manufacturer for your noise measurements, rather than use less accurate alternatives such as…
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What Are Ln Values in Noise Measurement? Understanding L10, L50 and L90
13th Jul 2018
In most cases the sounds we hear are not steady noises, instead the sound pressure level fluctuates over time as well as appearing to vary in tone and magnitude. To…
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5 Practical Steps for Effective Workplace Noise Control
11th Jun 2018
Although reported cases of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) have fallen in recent years, more than one million employees in the UK are still exposed to noise levels that put their…
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How to Measure Personal Noise Exposure in the Workplace
12th Oct 2017
Whether we like it or not, Health and safety is an integral part of any business today. Firstly, it exists to protect the well being of employees, customers and visitors. Secondly, complying with…
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Understanding Octave Band Sound Level Meters
06th Mar 2017
What are Octave Band Sound Level Meters and do you really need one for measuring noise? The simple answer to this is no, you do not have to have octave…
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Sound Level Meters Explained: Class 1 vs Class 2, Leq and How They Work
16th May 2016
Sound level meters are sophisticated devices used to determine the sound level by capturing and measuring changes in sound pressure. They tend to be hand-held and will be pointed towards the source of…
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Tinnitus and Workplace Noise: Causes, Risks and Prevention
01st Feb 2016
Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears caused usually by an intense and sustained high noise level. In this case, it is caused by the over-stimulation of the tiny hair…
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80, 85 and 87 dB: Understanding the Workplace Noise Action Values
07th Dec 2015
If you’re responsible for health and safety, the most important numbers in workplace noise management are 80, 85 and 87 decibels. These values are defined in Regulation 6 of the…
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What Is the 3 dB Rule? Understanding Noise Doubling
26th Oct 2015
What is the 3dB rule and how to understand it? If your work involves controlling noise in the workplace, especially if you are responsible for monitoring noise exposure levels, you…
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The Health Effects of Noise: Beyond Hearing Loss
02nd Oct 2015
In the last few days, results of a recent US study were reported extensively in the press. It established that people with long-term exposure to loud noise at work or in…
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Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005: Employer Guide to Compliance
28th Sep 2015
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force in April 2006, replacing the earlier 1989 Noise Regulations. They were introduced following European Directive 2003/10/EC and lowered the…
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Why Calibrate a Sound Level Meter (and How Often You Should Do It)
26th Feb 2011
We often get asked, "Why do I need to calibrate my sound level meter?" The answer is simple, calibration is vital to check that your sound level meter is working…
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