What Is a Sound Meter?
A sound meter, also known as a sound level meter, is an acoustic measurement instrument used to measure sound pressure levels in occupational, environmental, product testing, and building acoustics applications. Noise dosimeters are used to measure personal noise exposure over time, often in workplace safety and hearing conservation programs.
Because sound measurement data may support safety, compliance, environmental reporting, product validation, and quality decisions, regular calibration helps confirm that sound meters and related acoustic instruments remain accurate, traceable, and suitable for use.
Common Sound Measurement Instruments
SIMCO supports calibration for common sound measurement instruments and accessories, including:
- Sound level meters used to measure sound pressure levels
- Type 1 and Type 2 sound meters used for precision and general-purpose sound measurement
- Noise dosimeters used for personal noise exposure monitoring
- Acoustic calibrators and calibrator kits used to verify sound measurement instruments
- Microphones and microphone preamplifiers used in acoustic measurement systems
- Integrating sound level meters used for time-averaged sound measurements
- Octave and 1/3-octave analyzers used for frequency-band acoustic analysis
- Building and occupational noise monitoring instruments used for workplace, facility, and environmental assessments
Sound Meter Calibration Capabilities
SIMCO provides sound meter and noise dosimeter calibration services designed to verify acoustic measurement accuracy, identify drift, and support traceable documentation for quality and compliance programs.
Our sound meter calibration services may include:
- Inspection of instrument condition, microphone, preamplifier, display, controls, battery condition, and accessories
- Sound pressure level verification
- Frequency response verification, when applicable
- Weighting network checks, such as A-weighting, C-weighting, or Z-weighting, when supported
- Time-weighting verification, such as Fast, Slow, or Impulse response, when supported
- Noise dosimeter performance verification
- Acoustic calibrator verification, when applicable
- Calibration using appropriate acoustic reference standards and procedures
- Adjustment, when supported by the instrument and service scope
- As-found and as-left results, when required
- Calibration certificates with test points, tolerances, uncertainties, and traceable documentation
Why Sound Meter Calibration Matters
Sound meters, noise dosimeters, microphones, and acoustic measurement instruments can drift over time due to microphone aging, environmental exposure, mechanical stress, contamination, battery issues, or routine use. Drift can lead to inaccurate sound pressure level measurements and unreliable acoustic data.
Calibration helps support:
- Measurement accuracy: Confirms sound pressure level, frequency response, and weighting performance are within required tolerances.
- Occupational and environmental compliance: Supports workplace noise monitoring, hearing conservation programs, environmental noise reporting, and internal safety requirements.
- Reliable testing: Helps ensure acoustic measurements used in product testing, building acoustics, industrial noise surveys, and sound mapping are defensible.
- Risk reduction: Helps reduce inaccurate exposure assessments, unreliable compliance data, failed audits, retesting, and incorrect product or safety decisions.
Calibration Service Options
SIMCO supports calibration programs through a range of service models designed to meet different operational, compliance, and turnaround requirements. Depending on your instrument type, service scope, location, and quality requirements, available options may include:
- In-Lab Calibration: Instruments calibrated through SIMCO’s accredited lab network
- Onsite Calibration: Calibration at your facility, including in-situ services for installed equipment
- Embedded Laboratories: Onsite, fully managed calibration labs
- Managed Outside Services: Coordinated third-party calibration management
- Pickup and Delivery: Local pickup and delivery options available for SIMCO service areas
Industries and Applications We Support
SIMCO supports sound meter and noise dosimeter calibration for organizations where acoustic measurement accuracy, traceability, safety, and compliance are critical.
Common applications include:
- Occupational health and safety programs
- Hearing conservation and personal noise exposure monitoring
- Environmental noise monitoring and compliance
- Product development and acoustic emission testing
- Building acoustics and architectural noise analysis
- Industrial noise surveys and sound mapping
- Manufacturing, engineering, quality, and facilities teams
Why Choose SIMCO for Sound Meter Calibration?
- ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration services
- Support for sound level meters, noise dosimeters, acoustic calibrators, microphones, preamplifiers, and acoustic analyzers
- Verification of sound pressure level, frequency response, weighting, timing, and related acoustic performance where applicable
- Calibration documentation with test points, tolerances, uncertainties, and traceable results
- As-found and as-left data available when required
- Calibration support for regulated, safety-critical, and high-precision environments
- Service options including in-lab, onsite, embedded laboratories, managed services, and pickup and delivery
- Asset management support through CERDAAC SIMCO Manager