Audible
A
brand-new Noise app for Apple Watch is the built-in decibel meter along with an
automatic notification is one of the few interesting hearing health innovations
in watch OS 6 which has the potential to help protect people from noise that can
easily damage their hearing.
Unfortunately, hearing loss happens so
gradually and over longer periods of time that you don’t even notice it until
it’s too late. And we all know or should be aware of the fact that keeping your
hearing in good condition is key to maintaining your independence as you grow
older.
The Noise app uses the microphone in
your watch to periodically measure noise levels throughout the day. You can
also measure the noise level in real time, a life-saver when in loud
environments that could easily negatively impact your hearing.
How to use the decibel meter on Apple Watch
By default, your Apple Watch will warn
you when your average sound level over a period of three minutes reaches or
exceeds 90 decibels. When that happens, you’ll feel a gentle buzz on your wrist
and an alert will pop up on the Apple Watch display.
You can tap the notification to open
the Noise app and see more details.
How to check noise level in real time
To check your noise level in real
time, do the following:
1) Press the Digital Crown to get to the Home
screen, then tap the Noise app icon to launch the app. You can also put the app
in your Dock for quicker access or use Siri to open Noise.
2) As the noise level around you changes, the
onscreen decibel meter moves dynamically, in real time. The Noise app rates the
current noise level as either OK
or Loud. To learn more
about decimal ranges, scroll down and tap Learn More.
If you’re in a construction zone and
the Noise app has warned you of potentially damaging noise levels, move
somewhere else as soon as possible. The same goes if you’re at a sporting
event, rock concert or some other venue that produces loud noises.
