Evaluation of smartphone sound level meter applications as a reliable tool for noise monitoring

Noise is a constant and ongoing health hazard across many workplaces and industries worldwide. The effective management of noise-related health effects is primarily dependent on accurate measurements of sound levels. The accuracy and feasibility of smartphone sound level meter applications (apps) for noise monitoring in occupational and environmental scenarios was tested. Ten iOS and Android smartphones were used to conduct sound level measurements with five apps for each respective platform. Five different sound signals were utilized to represent the spectra present in an occupational environment, at four different reference sound levels (60, 70, 80, and 90 dBA) for a total of 1,000 tests. A calibrated Larson Davis LxT sound level meter was used as a reference. Results suggest that across all four measured sound levels the difference in smartphone app performance on the two platform is fairly nuanced. However, at the 90dBA sound level Android apps consistently underreport sound levels. This study concludes that some apps have the possibility to be appropriate for use only as screening tools and cannot be used for accurate determination of sound levels.