Statistical level

January 6, 2026

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Nyquist Team

Noise in the environment is rarely uniform; rather, it is a dynamic mixture of quieter and louder moments, such as traffic or the sounds of the city. To assess such a variable phenomenon, engineers cannot rely on a single number, which is why they turn to statistics. Statistical levels allow for precise determination of how often a given noise level is exceeded in a specific timeframe.

Professional Definition

Statistical level (denoted as LN) is the level of sound A, which has been exceeded for N% of the measurement duration. It is a measure used to assess variable noise over time, e.g., transportation noise.

In engineering practice, we most often encounter three indicators: L10 (peak level, exceeded for 10% of the time, corresponding to the loudest events), L50 (median, the statistically average value), and L90 (background level, exceeded for 90% of the time, representing the quietest moments of measurement).

Acoustics in Simple Words

Imagine you are standing by a road and counting passing vehicles. Sometimes a loud truck passes by, and at other times there is a moment of silence. If you wanted to describe the noise of this street, the average alone would be misleading. Statistical level works like sorting exam results in a class. L10 is the

Nyquist Team

The Nyquist team is a group of enthusiasts in acoustics, design, and technology who combine engineering knowledge with aesthetic sensitivity every day. We create solutions that improve acoustic comfort and give spaces a unique character. On the blog, we share our experiences, knowledge, and inspirations drawn from our daily work on projects carried out across Poland and abroad. We believe that good acoustics is not just a technique – it’s a way of creating spaces where one simply enjoys being.

Nyquist Team

The Nyquist team is a group of enthusiasts in acoustics, design, and technology who combine engineering knowledge with aesthetic sensitivity every day. We create solutions that improve acoustic comfort and give spaces a unique character. On the blog, we share our experiences, knowledge, and inspirations drawn from our daily work on projects carried out across Poland and abroad. We believe that good acoustics is not just a technique – it’s a way of creating spaces where one simply enjoys being.

Nyquist Team

The Nyquist team is a group of enthusiasts in acoustics, design, and technology who combine engineering knowledge with aesthetic sensitivity every day. We create solutions that improve acoustic comfort and give spaces a unique character. On the blog, we share our experiences, knowledge, and inspirations drawn from our daily work on projects carried out across Poland and abroad. We believe that good acoustics is not just a technique – it’s a way of creating spaces where one simply enjoys being.

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