As we move through the world, we’re surrounded by a symphony of sounds that provide vital clues about our environment. Our brains process these sounds, transforming them into actionable insights that help us navigate our surroundings. But now, thanks to the power of machine learning, we have the ability to measure sound in ways that far surpass human capabilities.

With AI, we can automatically analyse and quantify sound at a scale and level of precision that was previously unimaginable. From the chirping of birds to the hum of traffic, every sound can be measured and used to generate valuable insights about the world around us. AI for noise measurement has numerous benefits that standard sensors just can’t offer. In this article, we will take you through the ins and outs of noise measurement with machine learning and share our new API for noise measurement. 

What is Noise Measurement? 

Noise measurement is the process of measuring the level of sound in a given environment. It  is an essential tool that helps us understand the impact of sound on human health and the environment, as well as for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. Once we are able to detect and measure harmful sounds, we can take the necessary steps to protect human hearing. In the EU, more than 20% of the population is exposed to long-term harmful noise. This is why the importance of noise measurement cannot be overstated.

How is Noise Measured? 

The process of measuring noise is relatively simple; we utilise sensors specifically designed to detect sound levels in a designated area. Noise sensors are specifically designed to measure the levels of sound in a given area. They are strategically placed in areas of interest, such as near construction sites, highways, and airports, to collect data on noise pollution levels.

Environmental sensors work by detecting sound waves and converting them into electrical signals. These signals are then analysed to determine the sound intensity and frequency, which helps in identifying the source of the noise pollution. 

The most common type of sensor used for noise measurement is a microphone sensor. This type of sensor is similar to the one in your phone or laptop, and it works by detecting sound waves and converting them into electrical signals.

The microphone sensor contains a small diaphragm that vibrates in response to sound waves. These vibrations are then converted into an electrical signal that is amplified and analysed to determine the sound level. This process happens rapidly, allowing the sensor to provide real-time data on noise levels. 

The Problem: Times are Changing

Over the past decade, noise sensors have made significant strides in accuracy and functionality. However, the increasing prevalence of AI technology has made even the most advanced sensors appear outdated and excessively manual. The current process of manually listening to recorded audio files, identifying sounds, and categorising them is a time-consuming and tedious task. As the market demands innovation and automation, it has become essential to integrate AI into sensors to keep pace with the evolving technology landscape. With AI becoming increasingly prevalent in people’s daily lives, incorporating it into noise sensors is crucial to adapt.

The Solution? AI-Powered Sensors

The solution lies in AI for noise analysis. Machine Learning algorithms have the ability to label sound clips with tags relevant to the context of the use of the noise monitoring device. For example, construction sites would have different tags for impact sounds, vehicles, natural sounds, human voices, tools, and sirens. Integrating this feature into sensors would make them more reliable, capable, and accurate.

AI-powered sensors and microphones can detect sound waves, differentiate between different types of sounds, and detect patterns and anomalies in sound data that are difficult for humans to recognise. This means that the data collected by AI-powered sensors and microphones are much more precise and reliable. With AI, real-time monitoring is possible, allowing for immediate action to be taken in the case of excessive noise levels. On top of that, comprehensive data analysis can provide insights into the impact of noise pollution on human health and the environment, helping policymakers to develop appropriate mitigation strategies.

By integrating APIs, hardware manufacturers can leverage trusted AI technology to enhance the accuracy and automation of sensors, gaining a competitive edge in the market.

Our API: Noise Source Identification in Online Reporting Platforms 

The Gemmo Noise API goes beyond just labelling sound clips with relevant tags. It also offers noise source attribution, which is useful for quickly discarding irrelevant noise clips and detecting acoustic events such as blasts, rain, and wind. This feature is particularly useful for removing background noise from large audio clips automatically, identifying sparse, rare sound events of interest like blasting, piling, or engine spinning, and even for sound retrieval. With sound retrieval, users can find sound events similar to the ones already identified, making it easier to track and analyse trends over time.

How Does it Work? 

Noise, especially in pollution-prone areas like construction sites and roadsides needs to be tracked for environmental safety. This is where sensors come in. Placed strategically on-site, these sensors detect and log sounds once they cross a certain decibel level. But, imagine hundreds of sensors on several roadsides all operating at the same time. That’s a huge amount of data for humans to listen through and determine if the detection is correct. 

Our innovative system automates this entire process, from sound detection to analysis, leaving no room for human error. Once a noise sample is recorded, it’s sent to our remote server for processing. Within seconds, our API classifies the sound and assigns it a probability level. For example (an ambulance siren with 90% accuracy). 

Final Thoughts 

The world of noise measurement is being transformed by the power of AI. With our Gemmo Noise API, we’re automating the process of sound detection and analysis, leaving no room for human error. It’s like having a team of noise detectives at your fingertips, ready to identify every sound and provide valuable insights into the impact of noise pollution on human health and the environment.

By Johanna Walsh