Dangerous Decibels Program Walk-Through: 7. Strategies to Protect Your Hearing
Sound Level Meter
When the students hold the sound level meter have them grip the SLM body with the display easily visible to them. Be sure and hand them the SLM already turned on, there is no need for the students to push any buttons on the SLM. When they are taking measurements, have them hold the SLM away from their bodies, with their arm extended. This allows for more accuracy when taking measurements.
Room
Room size and acoustics can occasionally influence how well this activity works. If possible, test out the SLM measurement locations in advance to be sure the desired decibel readings are feasible. The students should generally line up in a straight line moving away from the blender with each decibel measurement being progressively lower than the previous. If the furthest location places the student in a corner of the classroom or near reflective surfaces, the sound level measurement may increase rather than decrease. In this case, shorten the distance from the blender or rotate the line more towards the center of the room and away from walls.
Room size and acoustics can occasionally influence how well this activity works. If possible, test out the SLM measurement locations in advance to be sure the desired decibel readings are feasible. The students should generally line up in a straight line moving away from the blender with each decibel measurement being progressively lower than the previous. If the furthest location places the student in a corner of the classroom or near reflective surfaces, the sound level measurement may increase rather than decrease. In this case, shorten the distance from the blender or rotate the line more towards the center of the room and away from walls.