A system to monitor the noise exposure of persons wearing headsets

Abstract

Although legislation limiting noise exposure in the work place applies to individuals who wear headsets as part of their employment, no method for measuring the noise exposure of these individuals has previously existed. A system for carrying out this measurement has been developed. This system is indirect, in that the electrical signal to the headset is measured, the transfer function of the headset, ear, and dosimeter microphone is applied to the measured signal, and the resulting electrical signal input to a dosimeter. This approach requires the transfer function of the headset be measured for each brand and model that is used, but eliminates the need for in-ear microphones of the more direct approach. The transfer function of the headset is measured using an acoustic manikin head. A limited number of headsets brands and models have been used with this system to investigate both the variations between models and within a model. [Work supported by Department of Labor.]