The NOISE (Non-Occupational Incidents, Situations and Events) Database: A new research tool

Abstract

This paper describes the development of the NOISE (Non-Occupational Incidents, Situations and Events) Database. The NOISE database currently contains 536 separate leisure activities and events, including noise level measurements, (L_Aeq and L_Cpeak), and detailed information about the circumstances of each event. The data are organized into seven categories, in which high-noise events and activities can be identified. Thirty-five percent of events in the database were over 85 dB (the level at which noise is considered a risk according to workplace standards) and 3% were over 100 dB. Fourteen percent of events exceeded the acceptable workplace noise exposure limit of 1.01 Pa²h. The noise exposure levels recorded in the database can be used to identify high-risk leisure activities and to estimate individuals’ leisure noise exposures and make comparisons between leisure and workplace noise exposures.

Keywords:

• leisure noise
• leisure activities
• noise measurement
• noise database

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Kamlesh Chand, who developed the NOISE database using Microsoft Access, and provided assistance with subsequent changes and refinements to the database. Thanks also to those willing participants who volunteered to wear dosimeters during their leisure activities. This project was funded by the Australian Government's Office of Hearing Services under its Hearing Loss Prevention Program.

Notes

1. The A-weighting on a sound level measurement applies a ‘human’ listening characteristic to the instrument taking the measurement.

2. The C-weighting on a sound level measurement applies a relatively flat frequency response across the frequency spectrum, and therefore includes more low-frequency information than A-weighted measurements.