Objective
In the last decades, increasing attention has been given to noise control in the workplace and in daily life in relation to both noise-induced hearing loss and noise annoyance. An important problem however is that the actual noise exposure of an individual is often difficult to determine. One way to obtain an accurate estimate is to use a personal sound exposure meter, but such devices that are presently available have several important shortcomings. In particular, they do not pick up the sound at the position where it should be measured (e.g. in the ear), and they cannot measure either the low-level sounds relevant for noise annoyance or the high-level impulsive sounds that impose extremely high damage risks. In addition, they can only determine one parameter - the integrated A-weighted sound energy - while some dose- effect relations that are currently in use (specifically those for impulse noise) are based on other measures. Objectives This project aims at the development of a new portable sound exposure meter flexible enough to measure noise exposure in relation to both annoyance and noise-induced hearing loss. Although it will be compatible with conventional sound exposure meters, as specified in IEC 1252, it will be able to overcome the shortcomings described above. Potential users of the device when it is eventually commercialised will be industrial companies, environment and health agencies, local administrations, universities and research centres. The project is also expected to make an input to future standardisation.
Work programme
The new exposure meter that will be developed will measure sounds in both ears, perform a suitable equalisation and combine the stereophonic signals. Using a special sensor the influence of the wearer's own voice especially at low levels will be minimised. Dose-effect relations for both steady state and impulsive noise will be implemented. A special feature will be an interface with standardised artificial head signals. This is relevant for long-term measurements or measurements that are performed under ear plugs and/or at very high sound levels. The sound exposure meter will be a programmable device, which will only require software updates in order to implement future standards. The prototype device will be evaluated in field tests.
State of progress
The project has just started.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
HERZOGENRATH
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.