SmarterNoise

SmarterNoise measures sound level, records video / audio and informs about noise SmarterNoise is a premium sound level meter app featuring several unique functions. SmarterNoise measures sound levels in video and audio format, records video and sound, and informs you about the risks of noise exposure. In addition, SmarterNoise includes a camera, gps-location, and easy sharing, all for free. From the archive you can go back to the video and audio files you saved on your phone. With SmarterNoise you take sound level and noise measuring to a new level never available before. SmarterNoise features smart icons that react to the measured sound levels based on current research results focusing on the health and well being effects of noise pollution. With the SmarterNoise icons you easily understand how hearing, cognitive performance, and health may be effected during different levels of noise exposure. The awareness of harmful noise is increasing globally, and is considered a versatile risk factor for wellbeing and health, especially in noise polluted urban environments. Features of SmarterNoise: Sound level measurement and recording in video and audio modes HD or VGA video resolution Three video quality settings Zoom and camera light Restarting of measurement Archive for saved files Sharing of saved files Calibration Smart icons Location, address Time and date display 10 second sound level average (LAeq, decibel) 60 second sound level average (LAeq, decibel) Lamax and min decibel level About decibels and sound measurement The unit for measuring noise and sound is called a decibel. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, a sound with an intensity that is twice that of a reference sound corresponds to an increase of about 3 decibels. The reference point of 0 decibel is set at the intensity of the least perceptible sound, the threshold of hearing. On such a scale a 10-decibel sound is 10 times the intensity of the reference sound. Highlighting this is important as already a few decibels higher or lower makes a noticeable difference in how noise is perceived. The preferred method to describe sound levels that vary over time, resulting in a single decibel value measuring the total sound energy over the period is called Leq. It is however common practice to measure sound levels using the A-weighting, which effectively cuts off the lower and higher frequencies, that the average person cannot hear. In this case Leq is written as LAeq. LAeq measures a formulated average which emphasizes higher sound peaks, and is one of the most common measurements used by professionals to measure noise. All averages in SmarterNoise are measured in LAeq. Health effects of noise are often measured in Lden. Lden measures the average sound level over a 24 hour period, with a penalty of 5 dB added for the evening hours between 19:00 and 22:00, and a penalty of 10 dB added for the nighttime hours between 22:00 and 07:00. Increased health risks have been observed during long term exposure, which highlights the need to consider the full average sound energy over a longer period, not only temporary averages or noise peaks. About Noise: According to the findings of the World Health Organization (WHO), noise is the second largest environmental cause of health problems, after the impact of air quality. While environmental awareness in general has increased, the burden from noise has not yet been realized by the general public. People especially in urban environments are subjected to noise during day and night, at home and at work. Noise pollution has increased over the years due to extensive traffic, increased air travel, urbanisation, and industrial noise exposure. Because of the complex and frequent issue of everyday noise, we developed SmarterNoise in order for people to understand noise better.