Abstract
A key variable for predicting speech privacy in open offices is the level of speech used. Since the environment influences vocal effort, speech levels needed to be measured in typical open office situations to more accurately calculate speech privacy in such offices. This paper describes measurements of voice levels used in face-to-face conversation in nine open offices in the Ottawa/Hull Area. Speech from 118 subjects was recorded and analyzed. Average voice levels in each office ranged from 48 to 55 dBA. The overall mean was 51 dBA with a standard deviation of 3.4 dBA. Levels from the current study were significantly lower than those in ASTM standard E1130, but the overall average and spectrum agree well with Pearsons’ results for casual conversation (K. S. Pearsons, R. L. Bennett, and S. Fidel, ‘‘Speech levels in various noise environments,’’ EPA-6001-77-025, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, May 1977). The paper describes the procedures and the results obtained. This work was done as part of a project for Public Works and Government Services Canada.
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