Evaluation of smartphone sound measurement applications

J Acoust Soc Am. 2014 Apr;135(4):EL186-92. doi: 10.1121/1.4865269.

Abstract

This study reports on the accuracy of smartphone sound measurement applications (apps) and whether they can be appropriately employed for occupational noise measurements. A representative sample of smartphones and tablets on various platforms were acquired, more than 130 iOS apps were evaluated but only 10 apps met our selection criteria. Only 4 out of 62 Android apps were tested. The results showed two apps with mean differences of 0.07 dB (unweighted) and -0.52 dB (A-weighted) from the reference values. Two other apps had mean differences within ±2 dB. The study suggests that certain apps may be appropriate for use in occupational noise measurements.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics / instrumentation*
  • Cell Phone*
  • Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Occupational Health*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pressure
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Sound*
  • Workplace