Workplaces with excessive noise pollution, neighbors' parties, or their noisy Pets, the incessant street traffic that is felt inside our homes... There are many examples of noise pollution around us, as well as practical tools to measure decibels using our iPhone.
In this post we are going to analyze some of the best options. Apps that will provide us with precise and reliable results. These can be very useful when filing a complaint or report. Or simply to know which are those places where the noise level exceeds the permitted threshold.
What is noise pollution and why is it so harmful?
Although not attracting as much attention as air pollution, acoustics have become one of the great current problems of our cities. Noise, noise and more noise that generates more than just inconvenience. In fact, according to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), Noise can cause severe long-term damage to human health.
In addition to the logical negative effects on hearing (tinnitus, premature deafness, etc.), prolonged exposure to environments with excessive noise can cause episodes of stress, fatigue, depression or anxietyAlso sleep disorders and loss of memory and attention span.
All of these negative effects affect young people and older people equally. And they are also very harmful to the animals that live with us. Faced with such a scenario, measuring decibels and controlling the level of noise that we endure daily is necessary.
At how many decibels is noise considered?
The unit of measurement used to express the power level or intensity level of a sound is the decibel (dB). A value of 0 dB would be equivalent, more or less, to absolute silence.
According to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) Any sound that exceeds the 65 decibel (dB) barrier can be considered noise. There are more categories: harmful noise from 75 dB and painful noise when it goes beyond 120 dB.
The effects of noise pollution are more intense at night, that is, during rest hours. Thus, if during the day it is recommended to avoid noisy environments (less than 65 dB), At night this figure must be below 30 dB. Aspiring to absolute silence is a chimera, but it is necessary to achieve environments with low noise pollution
Best Apps to measure decibels with our iPhone
Let's see below what are those tools that will allow us to measure decibels and control the noise level around us:
Dezibel X
Our first proposal is a very precise and completely reliable app to measure decibels. Decibel X It handles a standard measurement range that ranges from 30 dB to 130 dB. The results of your measurements are displayed very visually through detailed graphics. A simple way to know the noise level in our environment.
A particularly interesting function is "Keep device on", aimed at long-term recordings to know the noise level of a specific location during a certain time: a day, a week, etc. In addition to this, Decibel It allows us to create a history and even share the results of our measurements through social networks. Also can be integrated with other applications.
Link: Decibel X
NIOSH Sound Level Meter
This App has been developed by professionals in acoustic engineering to make a precise and easy-to-use tool available to any iPhone user. Thus, the creators of NIOSH Sound Level Meter They boast that this application offers an absolutely reliable degree of accuracy of ± 2 dB.
Available information screens with data on potentially dangerous noises and useful tips for caring for our hearing. Furthermore, it is connected with the Apple Health App. Last but not least, it should be noted that this App is completely free, free of ads and without in-app purchases.
Link: NIOSH Sound Level Meter
SoundMeter Pro
Another free application that provides us with professional quality measurements. SoundMeter Pro it's a fine tool calibrated with the Nor140 high precision sound level meter. With this app we will be able to measure environmental noise levels at all times, save these measurements (with their corresponding location) and share them with other users.
In addition to being very easy to use, the interface of this app offers an elegant design. These are other additional features that many users rate very positively.
Link: SoundMeter Pro
Spectrum Analyzer
Our latest app proposal for iPhone to measure decibels is called Spectrum Analyzer. It is a powerful professional audio tool that offers us the reliability of a solvent sound level meter, the option of multichannel harmonic analysis and a detailed graphic representation.
Among the many instruments of this application, its AI-powered sound source analyzer, which offers highly accurate results.
Link: Spectrum Analyzer
Editor specialized in technology and internet issues with more than ten years of experience in different digital media. I have worked as an editor and content creator for e-commerce, communication, online marketing and advertising companies. I have also written on economics, finance and other sectors websites. My work is also my passion. Now, through my articles in Tecnobits, I try to explore all the news and new opportunities that the world of technology offers us every day to improve our lives.