Technical Column
What Is Background Noise?
May 26, 2025
- HBK × SONORA Acoustic Measurement Solution Official Website
- Technical Column
- What Is Background Noise?
Acoustic Power Measurement
Background noise refers to the ambient sounds or noise that are present in the environment in addition to the sound being measured.
This includes constant sounds such as those coming from outside a room, mechanical equipment, or people talking nearby.
Background noise can affect both measurements and acoustic design, so accurately understanding and controlling it is essential.
Example of Background Noise
When measuring the sound pressure level of a ventilation fan inside an anechoic chamber,
the sound level in the chamber without the fan operating (or when there is no fan installed) is considered the background noise.
It is recommended that background noise be at least 10 dB lower than the sound level of the object under test.
For example, if the ventilation fan emits 50 dB, then the background noise level inside the anechoic chamber should be designed to be 40 dB or lower.
Background noise is the sound or noise present behind the target sound being measured, and it is crucial to properly manage its influence during acoustic measurement and evaluation.
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Introduction of the Manufacturer
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Hottinger Bruel & Kjaer
HHBK is a merger of two companies: Brüel & Kjær of Denmark and HBM of Germany.
Brüel & Kjær is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of acoustic and vibration measurement instruments, known as a total measurement chain supplier.Learn more about HBK
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Sonora Technology Co., Ltd.
Sonora Technology is a leading Japanese manufacturer of industrial anechoic chambers and anechoic boxes.
From design and manufacturing to installation and acoustic performance assurance, Sonora provides fully integrated solutions to build complete acoustic measurement environments from the ground up.Learn more about Sonora
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