Methods & Personnel
Charlie carries out this work himself. If possible he will visit the premises in which the machines, tools or processes which are alleged to have caused the damage are located. The noise to which the pursuer was exposed will be measured. The noise levels will be combined with the durations of exposure to determine the pursuer’s daily personal noise exposure level, LEP,d.

This can then be compared to the limits given in The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, the Noise at Work Regulations 1989, the Code of Practice for reducing the exposure of employed persons to Noise, or even Noise and the Worker. This comparison leads to a conclusion as to whether the noise exposure has been excessive.

If required, Charlie can work out what are called noise immission levels, and from these the probability of a certain level of deafness being attained as a result of a given noise exposure history.

It is quite often not possible to measure the noise of the machines, tools or processes to which the pursuer was exposed. This may be because the factory has closed down, relocated or the machines, tools, etc replaced with more modern ones. In this situation Charlie can draw on his experience of noise levels measured in similar factories over the years, together with published data on the noise affecting the given occupation.

Instruments
If Charlie is able to measure the noise he will use a Brüel & Kjær Modular Precision Analyzer Type 2260, loaded with the Enhanced Sound Analysis Software Type BZ7202. Brüel & Kjær is the “Rolls Royce” of acoustical instrumentation, and the 2260 is the most accurate and reliable hand-held sound level meter available on the market.