Headset noise exposure dosimeter

A method for controlling noise exposure from a headset comprising:

• sampling an input sound signal to produce a plurality of samples as a function of time;
• calculating from said plurality of samples a headset sound level corresponding to the input sound signal;
• calculating real-time exposure of a user of the headset to the headset sound level;
• extrapolating the real-time exposure to the end of a preselected time period;
• calculating a gain adjustment for the input sound signal;
• and
• adjusting gain of the input sound signal in conformity with the gain adjustment calculation.

A headset audio dosimeter, comprising:

• sampling circuitry for sampling an input sound signal to produce samples of said input sound signal;
• a headset sound level technique for calculating from said samples of said input sound signal a headset sound level corresponding to the input sound signal;
• an exposure technique for calculating from said headset sound level the cumulative exposure of a user of a headset to the headset sound level;
• an exposure extrapolation technique for extrapolating the expected cumulative exposure of the user to the headset sound level to the end of a preselected time period;
• and
• a gain adjustment technique for calculating a gain adjustment for the input sound signal to limit the total cumulative exposure of the user to sound over the preselected time period to below a selected value.

A headset audio dosimeter system, comprising:

• a sound signal source for producing an input sound signal;
• means for sampling the input sound signal to produce samples of said input sound signal;
• means for storing said samples;
• a processor;
• a program stored in a memory for allowing said processor to calculate from said samples a gain adjustment for the input sound signal;
• gain control circuitry responsive to said calculated gain adjustment for adjusting gain of the input sound signal in conformity with the calculated gain adjustment to produce an adjusted sound signal;
• and
• a headset apparatus to receive the adjusted sound signal.