LAeq24h

LAeq24h is a metric used to quantify the average sound level over a 24-hour period, weighted according to the A-frequency weighting. The "LAeq" stands for equivalent continuous sound level, meaning it represents the steady sound level that would have the same amount of sound energy as the actual fluctuating sound over the specified time. The "24h" denotes that the measurement duration is a full day.

This metric is widely employed in environmental noise assessment and regulations. It provides a single, representative value that accounts for the variations in noise levels throughout a day and night. This is particularly useful because noise exposure can vary significantly between daytime and nighttime, and LAeq24h helps to capture this overall exposure.

The A-weighting curve approximates the human ear's sensitivity to different frequencies at moderate sound levels. Therefore, LAeq24h emphasizes frequencies that are more audible to humans, making it a more relevant measure of perceived loudness and potential annoyance than a simple arithmetic average of sound pressure levels. It is a common parameter for assessing noise pollution and its impact on human health and well-being.