Revisiting Acoustics Education Using Mobile Devices to Learn Urban Acoustic Environments: Recent Issues on Current Devices and Applications

Abstract

In this paper, we revisit the acoustics education program using mobile devices to better understand urban environments. We begin with a summary of our past projects to demonstrate a model case of the concept. In these projects, the output was mainly supposed to be a noise map with measured sound pressure levels (SPLs) and sound spectra. This methodology can obviously be applied to larger-scale urban studies. Including measured sound spectra can be another advantage. Next, current problems in measurement accuracy due to recent device developments are explained and the required examinations are stated. Finally, the accuracy of the current versions of the applications as well as recently available devices are discussed. The results of this study provide information regarding the measurement accuracy of mobile devices, and some suggestions for their practical use are given, which are also useful for additional studies pertaining to the urban acoustic environment.

A note on the acoustic environment in a usually quiet residential area after the ‘state of emergency’ declaration due to COVID-19 pandemic in Japan was lifted: supplementary survey results in post-emergency situations

“…The technical information of the NoiseCapture app is available on its web site [9] and documented in [10]. Before the measurements, the app and the device were calibrated using a standardised sound level meter (SLM) (Class 1), and its validity, confirmed via the method in [11,12], was reported in [8]. The results of a sound map made via soundwalk with this app give the noise level range (dBA, L Aeq ) along the soundwalk course.…”

“…It was calibrated and checked for accuracy using a Class 1 sound level meter (SLM). For details of the accuracy check results, see [8], and for the method used for the accuracy check, see [11,12]. The overall noise level and characteristics of the surveyed area and how these changed after the declaration of the state of emergency was lifted were investigated by way of a soundwalk using NoiseCapture.…”

Sound levels with aural suctioning: Effects of suction size, canal moisture, and distance from the eardrum

“…Sound measurements were obtained via a sound pressure level (SPL) meter in an iPhone X device via an iOS application, AudioTools, created by Studio Six Digital. A study by Sakagami et al 6 compared this iOS Audiotools on an iPhone to two Class 1 Sound Level Meters (Rion, NL‐62, and Ono Sokki, LA‐4350) in measuring A‐weighted SPL and showed reasonable agreement with a slightly higher value of about 1 dB (A) on the iPhone app. The AudioTools app has also been used in prior audiology and otolaryngology studies, Ostegren et al 7 and Ertzgarrd et al, 8 as an affordable and accessible alternative to more expensive sound level meters in both classroom and global health settings with accurate results.…”

“…Further distinction between the two guidelines lie in their time‐intensity trade off. NIOSH is considered more conservative in that for every 3 dB increase, allowable time exposure is reduced by half; whereas OSHA allows for 5 dB increase before allowable time is reduced by half 3‐6 . Our average ear cleaning encounter using constant suction typically does not exceed 30 seconds.…”

The acoustic designer: Joining soundscape and architectural acoustics in architectural design education

“…Some other researchers have supported the adoption of smartphones in environmental acoustics education. 154–156 Kitapci 90 followed a different approach and argued for a teaching module in interior design schools based on four phases addressing Schafer’s principles earlier mentioned: the technical lecture phase, the preliminary research and soundwalks phase, the initial design phase, and the holistic soundscape design phase. Kitapci 90 motivates the criticism to existing courses stating thatthe main objective of the design-oriented architectural acoustics course is to create awareness of the students in the built and natural soundscapes.…”