A noise level meter, also known as a sound level meter, is a device that measures the intensity or level of sound in a given environment. It is commonly used in occupational safety and health, environmental monitoring, and industrial and residential noise control.
A noise level meter typically consists of a microphone, a preamplifier, and an electronic circuit that measures the sound pressure level (SPL) of the sound waves picked up by the microphone. The SPL is expressed in decibels (dB), which is a logarithmic unit that measures the ratio of the sound pressure level to a reference level.