Acoustics
Science of sound. It studies the production, control, transmission, reception and effects of sound and the phenomenon of hearing.
Ambient noise
All the background noise in a given environment.
Amplitude
The intensity of sound; in other terms, it is the loudness or volume of sound.
A-weighting
A way of measuring the pressure of sound level based on how the human ear would hear and react to it.
Decibel
Unit of measuring used to describe the sound pressure and sound loudness around us. It is usually abbreviated as dB.
Frequency
It’s the number of times a vibrating object moves back and forth in one second. The frequency determines the pitch of a sound; the faster the movements (frequency), the higher the pitch; the slower the movements, the lower the pitch of the sound.
Leq
Equivalent (average) sound pressure level measured in an environment over a period of time. It is expressed in dB.
Lmax
Maximum (highest) sound pressure level measured in an environment over a period of time. It is expressed in dB.
Loudness
A measure of sound that determines the intensity of auditory sensation produced. It refers to how loud or soft a sound seems to a listener.
Noise pollution
Sound levels or unwanted sounds that can be harmful to human health and well-being, the wild life and the environment.
Noise
Unwanted and/or harmful sound.
Non occupational noise
Noise exposure associated with activities unrelated to work.
Occupational noise
All sound (wanted or unwanted) an employee is exposed to while working.
Sound
Mechanical waves that travel through air carrying energy with them as a result of the vibration of the air molecules. Those pressure waves set the eardrum in motion, creating the sensation of hearing.