SmarterNoise vs Decibel Meter

SmarterNoise measures sound level, records video and audio and informs about noise SmarterNoise is a premium sound level meter app featuring several unique functions. SmarterNoise measures sound levels in video and audio modes, records video and sound, and informs you about the risks of noise exposure. In addition, SmarterNoise includes a camera, measurement location, and easy sharing, all for free. From the archive you can view the video and audio files you've saved on your phone. With SmarterNoise you take sound level and noise measuring to a new level never available before. SmarterNoise features smart icons that react to the measured sound levels based on current research results focusing on the health and the adverse effects of noise pollution. With the SmarterNoise icons you easily understand how hearing, cognitive performance, and health may be affected by different levels of noise exposure. The awareness of harmful noise is increasing globally, and is considered a versatile risk factor for well-being and health, especially in noise polluted urban environments. Features of SmarterNoise: Sound level measurement and recording in video and audio modes Sound level activated audio recording Full HD, HD or VGA video resolution Three video quality settings Zoom and camera light Restarting of measurement Archive for saved files Sharing of saved files Calibration Smart icons Location, address Time and date display 10 second sound level average (LAeq, decibel) 60 second sound level average (LAeq, decibel) Max and min decibel level About decibels and sound measurement The unit for measuring noise and sound is called a decibel. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, a sound with an intensity that is twice that of a reference sound corresponds to an increase of about 3 decibels. The reference point of 0 decibel is set at the intensity of the least perceptible sound, the threshold of hearing. On such a scale a 10-decibel sound is 10 times the intensity of the reference sound. Highlighting this is important as already a difference of a few decibels makes a noticeable difference in how noise is perceived. Leq is an average value describing the total sound energy over a period of time. It is however common practice to measure sound levels using A-weighting, which attenuates low and high frequencies that the average person cannot hear. In this case Leq is written LAeq. LAeq is a formulated average which emphasizes higher sound peaks, and is one of the most common measurements used by professionals to measure noise. All averages in SmarterNoise are measured in LAeq. Health effects of noise are often measured in Lden. Lden measures the average sound level over a 24 hour period, with a penalty of 5 dB added for the evening hours between 19:00 and 22:00, and a penalty of 10 dB added for the nighttime hours between 22:00 and 07:00. Increased health risks have been observed during long term exposure, which highlights the need to consider the full average sound energy over a longer period, not only temporary averages or noise peaks. About noise According to the findings of the World Health Organization (WHO), noise is the second largest environmental cause of health problems, after the impact of air quality. While environmental awareness in general has increased, the burden of noise has not yet been realized by the general public. People especially in urban environments are subjected to noise daily and nightly, at home and at work. Noise pollution has increased over the years due to increased traffic and air travel, urbanization, and industrial noise exposure. Because of the complex and frequent issue of everyday noise, we developed SmarterNoise in order for people to understand noise better.

Measure noise around you, protect your hearing, and keep a record of every loud moment — all in one beautifully designed decibel meter. Decibel Meter turns your iPhone into a noise-aware companion for everyday life. Whether you want to check how loud your apartment really is, save a recording of a noisy neighbor, or understand how noise exposure builds through the day, this app makes it simple. And when you need to show someone how loud it really was — a landlord, property manager, or HR — turn a saved recording into a clean PDF noise report. Built for parents, renters, commuters, musicians, and anyone curious about the sound around them. MEASURE IN REAL TIME See exactly how loud it is, right now. • Live dB with real-time Min, Avg, and Max • Color-coded level indicator — green for quiet, red for loud • Fast meter that updates instantly as sound changes • Timer tracks how long you have been monitoring • Reference labels compare levels to everyday sounds RECORD & REPLAY Hearing something unusual? Capture it in one tap. • One-tap recording with full dB data • Pause, resume, trim, rename, and organize • Waveform playback — see exactly when peaks occurred • Auto-detect and remove silence for cleaner files • Auto-record when noise exceeds your threshold (Pro) • Export as M4A, WAV, or MP3 • Preview a free sample report, then export watermark-free PDF noise reports (Pro) • Batch export multiple recordings at once TRACK HEARING EXPOSURE Noise adds up. The louder it is, the faster safe listening time runs out. • Daily tracker built on NIOSH guidelines (85 dB, 3 dB exchange rate) • Home screen card shows cumulative dose — updated in real time • See how much safe time remains at current levels • Notification when daily exposure approaches warning levels • Each recording saves a snapshot of your exposure • Progress bar shifts green → orange → red as risk increases NOISE TRENDS One reading shows right now. Trends show what is changing. • 24-hour, 7-day, and 30-day charts with avg and peak dB • Spot patterns — weekends vs. weekdays, mornings vs. evenings • Searchable history with date, dB, and sorting filters • Batch select, export, or delete recordings FREQUENCY ANALYSIS (Pro) Not all noise is the same — low rumble, speech, and sharp whines affect you differently. • Real-time 8-band octave spectrum, 31 Hz – 4 kHz • See whether noise is bass, speech-range, or high-pitched • Peak detection highlights the dominant band • Home card shows low / mid / high balance • Useful to ID sources: HVAC hum, traffic, appliance whine EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS No setup, no account, no learning curve. • Clean design — understood in seconds • Threshold alarm with haptic vibration • All data on-device — nothing uploaded, no account needed • M4A and WAV recording formats • 35+ languages SUBSCRIPTIONS Decibel Meter is free to use. Measurement, one-tap recording (keep up to 5 saved recordings), playback, exposure tracking, trends, and history are included at no cost. Pro unlocks unlimited saved recordings, the octave spectrum analyzer, auto-record above your threshold, watermark-free PDF noise reports, and all future Pro features. Payment is charged to your Apple account at confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in Apple ID settings. If a free trial is offered, it converts to a paid subscription unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the trial ends. PRIVACY Audio stays on your device. No account, no uploads. All processing is local. Ads are served via Google AdMob, which may collect anonymous data. Important: Results vary by device and microphone. Decibel Meter is for everyday reference — not a substitute for professional sound level meters, calibrated instruments, compliance testing, or medical advice. Privacy Policy: https://www.decibelmeter.org/appprivacy.html Terms of Use: https://www.decibelmeter.org/appterms.html