When you open the app, you’ll see noise levels immediately in large numerals. Leave the app open for several minutes — the “Total Run Time” line tracks how long it has been collecting sound readings. When it comes to interpreting your sound exposure, the decibel figure on the “LAeq” line will be the most useful. A 15-minute recording is likely to represent the average noise exposure for the hour, said Edmund Seto, an associate professor of environmental health at the University of Washington who is studying noise across America. What those numbers meanThe health risks of noise exposure can be hard to interpret since they differ based on source and sound qualities.

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Persons: Edmund Seto Organizations: University of Washington Locations: America