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Introduction
Hearing loss from exposure to loud sound affects millions of people. Noise-induced
hearing loss is preventable, but most people do not kno w how long they can listen
to loud sound without risking hearing dama ge. A single noise exposure may not
result in hearing loss, but permanent damage to the inner ear from noise adds up
over time. The accumulation of too much noise day by day, year after year, is
the determining factor in hearing loss risk.
A sound level meter
is a device that
measures noise at a particular point in time, while a
dosimeter
measures sound
levels for many hours and calculates the cumulative noise dose in percent.
Daily noise dose is determined by both the intensity of the sound and the amount of
exposure time. A 100% dose means that a person has reached the maximum noise
exposure for the day, and continued exposure to loud sound could lead to hearing
loss. Ideally, hearing protection should be used before the dose reaches 100% since
dose limits are based on a verages, and some ears are more susceptible to noise
damage than others. When the noise dose exceeds 50% a person has reached
half the maximum noise exposure for the day and it’ s a good idea to use hearing
protection to prevent over-exposure, particularly if a 50% dose reading is reached
early in the day.
General Description
The ER-200 Personal Noise Dosimeter complies with most but not all of the
requirements of a Type-2 Noise Dosimeter [ANSI S1.25-1991(R2002) ]. It is an
inexpensive, easy-to-use screening device that provides a good estimate of noise
dose and alerts the user to the risk of over exposure. In cases of gunfire and other
impulse noise, no conventional dosimeter measures the risk accura tely because
more specialized equipment is required.
The ER-200 has two modes of opera tion: Normal Mode measures and displays
noise dose continuously for up to 16 hours, and Quick Check measures noise for
two minutes, then calculates and displays the estimated dose
per hour
.
In Normal Mode, the dosimeter provides an early warning tha t the user is
approaching over exposure and should use hearing protection. Quick Check
provides a quick and easy way to measure a specific noise source to determine
if permissible exposure levels will be exceeded (e.g., loud equipment, vehicles,
power tools, music concerts or sporting events).
Microphone
Input jack
LEDs
Power
Front
Getting Started
Package Contents:
• ER-200 Personal Noise Dosimeter
• Windscreen
• Batteries: Three AAAA Alkaline*
• User Guide
• Reference Card
*
(AAAA batteries are available at retail locations and electronics retailers such as Radio Shack)
Identification of Parts
Battery Insertion
On the back side of the dosimeter, locate the arrow on the battery compartment.
• Press down and slide the cover off
• Insert three AAAA batteries (supplied)
• Replace cover
Windscreen
For accurate measurements, the 35 mm (1.4")
windscreen included with the ER-200 should be
used when noise is measured outdoors or near
any turbulence, e.g., from a fan. The foam
windscreen allows accurate measurement in
winds up to 15 to 20 mph. Note: Blowing across
the microphone opening on the dosimeter can
cause the same turbulence as a 50 mph wind.
Light colors
Move -0.5 Inch to get back in place
Back
Battery compartment