Kurt RobinsonMoussa KanteAlex Gardtner

Movie Theater Noise

The Hearing ProcessComponents of the

earOuter Ear

Pinna Ear Canal

Middle EarEardrumMalleus, Incus, Stapes

Inner EarCochleaCochlear Nerve

The Hearing ProcessEnergy Conversions of

Sound

Acoustical Energy

Mechanical Energy

Hydraulic Energy

Chemical Energy

Electrical Energy

Aims of StudyIdentify noise levels in theatresCompare noise levels to OSHA guidelinesDiscuss with viewers if they were adversely

affected by the noise

Description of TaskPurchased 4 Individual C batteriesSnuck Octave Band Analyzer on the inside

of our coatsSat in multiple sections of the Movie

TheatreHeld the Octave Band Analyzer in our lapsHad the Analyzer on Db(A)Paid close attention to the Analyzer at all

times

Technical EquipmentOctave Band Analyzer

o Features whole and 1/3-octave real-time spectral analysis using digital Butterworth bandpass filters, as recommended by ANSI Standards

o Supports calibrated sound level measurements in whole and 1/3-octave bands, including Lp, Lp_max, Lp_peak, and Leq

o Flat, A, and C frequency weightingo Fast, Slow, and Impulse time weightingo Supports non-acoustic signals with units other

than Pascalso Captures current spectrum for later review

Table G-16 TABLE G-16 - PERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURES (1) ______________________________________________________________ | Duration per day, hours | Sound level dBA slow response ____________________________|_________________________________ | 8...........................| 90 6...........................| 92 4...........................| 95 3...........................| 97 2...........................| 100 1 1/2 ......................| 102 1...........................| 105 1/2 ........................| 110 1/4 or less................| 115 ____________________________|________________________________

Movies

Quantitative FindingsBank Job – Action/Suspense

Peak – 88.7 dBA Mean – 72 – 76 dBA

“21” – DramaPeak – 84.7 dBAMean – 65 – 70 dBA

Qualitative DataSpeaker ArrangementNoise Readings from Multiple AreasInterviews with patronsSeating Arrangement

Types of Seating

IMAX 3D TheaterMuseum of Discovery and Science IMAX 3D

Theater

Several Sound Complaints

Possible Different Speaker Arrangement

Intervention Methods

Not much that can be done.

Speak to a manager.

Call theater company and file a complaint.

SummaryOnly one reading exceeded action level.No readings exceeded exposure limit.Very subjective study

Different theaters by different companiesDifferent policiesDifferent genres of movies

Is this an outdated study?Different time era