Field survey for the noise exposure level of nursery teachers applying personal noise dosimeters

The acoustical environment in nursery schools, where preschool children spend most of their time, is extremely important not only for the children's development but also for the working environment of nursery workers. Previous measurements of the acoustical environment in nursery rooms have been conducted using sound level meters placed in the rooms. However, understanding individual noise exposure levels is effective in examining the impact of the acoustical environment on hearing and its relationship to auditory impressions such as discomfort. In Japan, personal noise dosimeters have become available following the 2023 revision of the guidelines for preventing noise-induced hearing loss in noisy workplaces. In this study, we measured the noise exposure levels of nursery workers during their childcare activities using personal noise dosimeters and also conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the impact of the acoustical environment on hearing. The measured personal noise exposure levels ranged from approximately 70 to 85 dB on average over a 7- to 8-h shift, with values frequently exceeding 90 dB in equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level per second. Some nursery workers expressed concerns about the impact on their hearing.