SoundDBMeter.com provides educational content related to sound measurement, decibels, and noise exposure. The information presented across our guides, charts, and tools is based on publicly available standards and established acoustic principles.
Below is a list of primary reference sources used in developing our content.
Occupational Noise & Safety Standards
The following organizations publish recognized guidance related to workplace noise exposure and hearing protection:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Occupational Noise Exposure Standard (29 CFR 1910.95)
https://www.osha.gov/noise - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/ - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/
Content such as our Noise Exposure Calculator and Safe Noise Levels Chart is based on publicly available exposure guidance from these institutions.
Environmental & Public Health Guidance
We reference global health guidance where applicable, including:
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Environmental Noise Guidelines
https://www.who.int/ - World Health Organization (WHO) – Hearing Loss and Prevention Resources
https://www.who.int/health-topics/hearing-loss
Educational content discussing long-term exposure and hearing damage reflects information made publicly available by these organizations.
Acoustic Principles & Sound Measurement
Technical explanations related to decibels, sound pressure level (SPL), weighting scales, and logarithmic measurement are based on established acoustic principles commonly referenced in physics and engineering literature.
Topics covered include:
- Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
- Logarithmic decibel scaling
- A-weighting and C-weighting
- Reference sound pressure (20 micropascals in air)
For foundational explanations, see:
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – Acoustic Measurement Resources
https://www.nist.gov/ - Engineering and physics educational materials related to acoustics and wave theory
Pages such as What Is a Decibel, Sound Pressure Level, and Logarithmic Decibel Scale are written in alignment with widely accepted acoustic definitions.
Tool Transparency & Technical Limitations
Because our tools operate within a web browser, they are influenced by hardware and environmental conditions. Technical discussions regarding browser-based sound measurement limitations are based on general digital audio processing principles and device variability.
For more detail, see our Online Decibel Meter Accuracy page.
No Affiliation Disclaimer
SoundDBMeter.com is an independent educational platform.
We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to OSHA, NIOSH, WHO, CDC, NIST, or any other referenced organization.
References are provided solely for educational transparency.
Ongoing Updates
We periodically review authoritative sources to ensure our educational content reflects publicly available standards and widely accepted acoustic principles.
If you believe a reference should be updated or expanded, you may contact us via our Contact page.