Noise Exposure Testing
Know the Risk.
Control the Exposure.
Excessive workplace noise doesn’t just impact productivity, it damages hearing, risks employee health, and can expose your company to regulatory fines and legal action. Memtech provides noise exposure testing to help you protect employees, meet OSHA requirements, and make informed, data-driven decisions.
Why Noise Exposure Testing Matters
Excessive noise isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s a regulated workplace hazard. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, employers are required to monitor worker exposure and implement controls when action levels are exceeded.
According to OSHA, any workplace where employees are exposed to an average of 85 decibels (dBA) or higher over an 8-hour shift must implement a hearing conservation program.
Whether you’re responding to employee concerns, preparing for an audit, or proactively evaluating risk, noise exposure testing is the first step to protecting your team and your bottom line.
According to OSHA, any workplace where employees are exposed to an average of 85 decibels (dBA) or higher over an 8-hour shift must implement a hearing conservation program.
Whether you’re responding to employee concerns, preparing for an audit, or proactively evaluating risk, noise exposure testing is the first step to protecting your team and your bottom line.
Unmanaged occupational noise can lead to:
- Increased workers’ compensation claims
Permanent hearing loss, tetanitus, fatigue, and stress - Miscommunication
Increased accident risk due to miscommunication - Decreased employee productivity
Loud environments reduce focus, comfort, and job satisfaction - Regulatory citations or fines
Noncompliance opens the door to fines, citations, and injury claims
Noise exposure testing gives you the data you need to identify high-risk areas and prioritize corrective actions before problems escalate.
What We Test.
How We Do It.
Our noise testing process is grounded in scientific accuracy and regulatory best practices. Every project is conducted by licensed engineers and acoustic professionals using NIST-traceable, calibrated equipment.
Personal Exposure Levels (Dosimetry)
Small, wearable devices collect sound exposure data throughout a worker’s shift to calculate time-weighted averages (TWA), peak levels, and maximum allowable dose.
Area and Task-Based Noise Mapping
Fixed-point measurements and sound level logging at key process locations or job stations to pinpoint dominant sources and exposure patterns.
Octave Band Analysis
Frequency-based data to identify the character of noise—critical for selecting the right mitigation products (e.g., enclosures vs. absorption).
Equipment-Specific Diagnostics
Targeted testing around specific machines or systems to evaluate the impact of individual assets on facility-wide sound levels.
Compliance Documentation
Complete OSHA/NIOSH-aligned reporting, including threshold exceedance mapping, recommendations, and documentation suitable for internal audits or agency review.
Our Process
STEP 1
Discovery & Qualification
We start with a collaborative intake process to understand your site conditions, challenges, and goals.
We gather the context needed to assess risk, establish requirements, and align on priorities.
We gather the context needed to assess risk, establish requirements, and align on priorities.
Here are the types of questions we ask:
Which job roles, machines, or production lines are active during the shifts we’ll be monitoring?
Are there any known tonal or impulsive noise sources (e.g., alarms, stamping presses, relief valves) that may influence exposure levels?
What production zones or process areas are of concern for ambient noise?
Are there any upcoming operational changes (e.g., new equipment, shift expansions) that may affect the acoustic environment in the near term?
How will the results be used? For internal risk assessment, OSHA compliance validation, community engagement, litigation, something else?
STEP 2
On-Site Testing
We begin with a guided walkthrough of your facility to identify key noise sources, workflow patterns, and employee exposure risks.
Our team maps out critical equipment zones, identifies job roles with high exposure potential, and observes how production shifts influence the acoustic environment.
Using Class 1 or Class 2 sound level meters and OSHA-compliant noise dosimeters, we conduct on-site testing during active operations.
Employees are outfitted with dosimeters to capture Time-Weighted Average (TWA), DOSE%, and Peak levels over a full shift, while area measurements track background sound pressure levels (Leq, Lmax, Lpeak).
For more nuanced analysis, we also perform octave-band frequency testing to pinpoint tonal noise sources and problematic frequencies.
Our team maps out critical equipment zones, identifies job roles with high exposure potential, and observes how production shifts influence the acoustic environment.
Using Class 1 or Class 2 sound level meters and OSHA-compliant noise dosimeters, we conduct on-site testing during active operations.
Employees are outfitted with dosimeters to capture Time-Weighted Average (TWA), DOSE%, and Peak levels over a full shift, while area measurements track background sound pressure levels (Leq, Lmax, Lpeak).
For more nuanced analysis, we also perform octave-band frequency testing to pinpoint tonal noise sources and problematic frequencies.
STEP 3
Analysis & Reporting
After testing, we review and process all collected data, comparing results against OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL), action levels, and hearing conservation thresholds.
Our team evaluates both individual exposure profiles and area-based noise patterns to identify compliance risks, hidden hotspots, and potential paths for mitigation.
If tonal or frequency-specific issues are present, we highlight those with spectral analysis to guide solution planning.
Our team evaluates both individual exposure profiles and area-based noise patterns to identify compliance risks, hidden hotspots, and potential paths for mitigation.
If tonal or frequency-specific issues are present, we highlight those with spectral analysis to guide solution planning.
STEP 4
Actionable Guidance
We deliver detailed reports either focused on employee exposure and/or on ambient and environmental conditions.
Each report includes:
- Calibrated data with time-series graphs
- Octave-band frequency breakdowns
- Mapped survey locations
- Written summaries and compliance observations
- Recommended next steps
STEP 5
Ongoing Monitoring (Optional)
For clients seeking long-term risk management or operating in dynamic environments, we offer ongoing noise monitoring and periodic reassessments.
Whether it’s due to seasonal production changes, new equipment, or evolving compliance requirements, continuous acoustic oversight helps ensure your workplace stays within regulatory thresholds year-round.
Whether it’s due to seasonal production changes, new equipment, or evolving compliance requirements, continuous acoustic oversight helps ensure your workplace stays within regulatory thresholds year-round.
We provide:
- Recurring noise exposure testing (quarterly, semi-annual, or annual)
- Real-time SLM logger deployment for long-term tracking of ambient noise trends
- Trend reporting and comparative analysis across different time periods or operational states
- Regulatory check-ins aligned with OSHA recordkeeping and hearing conservation programs
Who Needs Noise Exposure Testing?
- Facilities with continuous machinery or equipment noise
- Facilities with frequent operational changes
- Sites with employee-reported discomfort or hearing issues
- Sites subject to annual OSHA audits or third-party inspections
- Safety teams looking to build a comprehensive noise risk management program
Why Choose Memtech Acoustics
Certified and Licensed Professionals
Testing conducted by engineers and acoustic specialists, not general contractors or “safety consultants”.
National Standards Alignment
We follow OSHA 1910.95, NIOSH criteria, and ANSI S12.19-1996 methods for exposure assessment.
Engineering Expertise
Your results are reviewed by professionals who understand both compliance and the physics behind the numbers.
Mitigation-Ready Data
If your site needs acoustic control, we already have the frequency analysis and location-specific insights to design an effective solution.
Confidential & Detailed Reporting
We don’t just drop a spreadsheet. You get full documentation, delivered in easy-to-understand language with visuals and defensible insights you can act on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is noise exposure testing and why is it important?
Noise exposure testing measures how much sound workers are exposed to over time using Class 1 sound level meters and personal noise dosimeters. It ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 and helps protect employees from hearing loss, fatigue, and long-term health effects.
What are OSHA’s noise exposure limits?
OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is a time-weighted average (TWA) of 90 dBA over 8 hours. The Action Level is 85 dBA TWA, which requires implementation of a Hearing Conservation Program, including regular testing, audiometric evaluations, and employee training.
How is noise exposure testing performed?
Testing typically combines:
Personal dosimetry – worn by employees to measure individual exposure during shifts.
Ambient monitoring – using Class 1 meters to capture environmental noise levels in work zones.
Frequency analysis – identifying tonal noise or high-frequency risks that standard averages may miss.
Personal dosimetry – worn by employees to measure individual exposure during shifts.
Ambient monitoring – using Class 1 meters to capture environmental noise levels in work zones.
Frequency analysis – identifying tonal noise or high-frequency risks that standard averages may miss.
How often should noise exposure testing be conducted?
OSHA requires testing whenever workplace conditions change, such as new machinery, production processes, or facility layouts. Many employers perform annual testing as part of their ongoing hearing conservation programs to stay compliant and proactive.
What industries require noise exposure testing most often?
Common industries include manufacturing, construction, energy, automotive, aerospace, food processing, warehousing, and logistics. Anywhere machinery, tools, or equipment produce sustained sound above 85 dBA.
What happens if testing shows we exceed OSHA limits?
If exposure exceeds the Action Level (85 dBA TWA), a Hearing Conservation Program must be implemented. If exposure exceeds the PEL (90 dBA TWA), employers are required to take engineering or administrative controls and provide hearing protection devices (HPDs) until levels are reduced.
Do you provide compliance-ready reporting?
Yes. We deliver comprehensive, defensible reports that include measurement methods, exposure data, frequency analysis, and recommendations. Reports are structured for OSHA compliance, insurance audits, and internal EHS programs.
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Talk to our engineers. We’ll assess your needs and recommend a solution that works for your project.