In which frequency range would you suspect high noise levels?

In which frequency range would you suspect high noise levels?

• A. 1000-3000 Hz
• B. 0-500 Hz
• C. 3000-5000 Hz
• D. 500-1000 Hz

Answer: (A)

When you’re assessing noise on a worksite, look for where acoustic energy tends to concentrate across many kinds of equipment. Many machines—such as gear drives, bearings, and impacts from tooling—produce a lot of energy in the mid-frequency range. This midband, around 1 to 3 kHz, is also where human hearing is most sensitive, so these sounds stand out most and contribute significantly to perceived loudness. While low-frequency noise (0–500 Hz) comes from large machinery and very high-frequency noise (3–5 kHz) appears with some tools, the range that most reliably shows high noise levels across a variety of sources is approximately 1–3 kHz. That’s why you’d suspect high noise levels in that midrange when evaluating a site.

When you’re assessing noise on a worksite, look for where acoustic energy tends to concentrate across many kinds of equipment. Many machines—such as gear drives, bearings, and impacts from tooling—produce a lot of energy in the mid-frequency range. This midband, around 1 to 3 kHz, is also where human hearing is most sensitive, so these sounds stand out most and contribute significantly to perceived loudness. While low-frequency noise (0–500 Hz) comes from large machinery and very high-frequency noise (3–5 kHz) appears with some tools, the range that most reliably shows high noise levels across a variety of sources is approximately 1–3 kHz. That’s why you’d suspect high noise levels in that midrange when evaluating a site.