Real-time method for the measurement of noise exposure from communication headsets

A method for measuring noise exposure from communication headsets is presented. It is based on an accurate acousto-mechanical model of the human head and a filter to transform the data from the eardrum level to equivalent diffuse free-field values. The filter fits an existing integrating sound-level meter (Bruel and Kjaer type 2231), allowing measurements in real-time. The measurements were validated by comparing them with those obtained with a sound-level meter in the free field and with a miniature microphone. The method is accurate, objective, relatively simple, and works with any kind of communication headset. Measurements of noise exposure from communication headsets were taken at eight sites. The noise exposure level L(ex,8) (the equivalent sound level L(eq) normalized to 8 h) varied from 64 to 81 dBA in quiet office settings and from 77 to 88 dBA in noisy environments, with one measurement at 95 dBA. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.