NIOSH Sound Level Meter 4+

Love this app, amazing that it is free! Super useful even with the built in microphones on any device, I’m using it on an iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2024.

I started by wondering how loud it is outdoors in my backyard, something was bothering me. Turns out it is a neighbor’s AC unit and I was able to walk around and measure the dB level to map where it got louder. But even when that unit was off it was amazing how loud the insects are! Suburban backyard with no landscapers nearby (for the moment, that never lasts long) my sound floor is around 65 dB! Turns out the cicadas are going crazy and they make sounds over 100 dB!!!

Things I would like to see added to the app, free or perhaps in-app purchase: dB by Octave Bands and the ability to filter live measurement by bands. Also the Noise info module could have several more entries: 1) Common sound floor levels of different environments 2) Common sound levels of different noises 3) Description of Octave bands (Premium) 4) Repeat 1 & 2 by octave bands (Premium)

trying to follow my counties guidelines (clark county ,aka las vegas NV )regarding sound ordinances . decibel measurements are great . but the maximum permitted decibel level changes depending on the frequency of noise . the higher the frequency the higher the maximum decibel level is , lower freq lower decibel limit.
unless i am misunderstanding how frequencies are measured or how to use all the features of your app. i see there is 3 diffirent letters for measuring specific frequency ranges . “z” being the lowest frequency range, and “a” is the highest range. cant rememeber the middle one … “b” i think? . tried all of them with little change in readings being given and not entirely understanding what changes when I change the “frequency letter”in your app . notice a slight difference in measurement but because i cant isolate specific frequencies . i
get a range of frequency measurements all at once if measuring how loud system is heard outside of where the music is played . then hard to tell what frequency is being played at how many decibels . therefore would be hard to show(unless i just dont understand how to do this with instructions provided with the app) ,or “prove” my music is not exceeding my counties sound regulations. especially any law enforcement that decided to show up and investigate a disturbance or noise complaint. dont know if this app could help with that.

——miko——————————1

I love the convenience of this app, and how simple it is to use.

I have protected my hearing since I was a child when I found out that some of my relatives were very hard of hearing because they had been exposed loud noises in their lives. I still jealously guard my hearing, as I have worn glasses since I was a kid and don’t want to lose a second sense.

When I am exposed to loud noises by people who don’t seem to care, or it doesn’t sound that loud to them because they have already damaged their hearing, it gives me an opportunity to show them that it is loud enough to damage hearing and they need to turn the volume down a bit for everyone’s sake, or it shows me that although I’m uncomfortable, it’s still in the safe zone, and I just put in my earplugs. Or if it’s someone like my husband who is hard of hearing from all his years in construction and not protecting his hearing and needs the volume up like that to hear it, I just hand him the headphones.

I pulled your app out to use it this time because all the hammering going on inside my house right now (a construction project inside my own home) is hurting both my ears and the dog’s, so I was checking to see how much damage is being done and are the dog and I safe without hearing protection.

Thanks!

LT