Headset noise exposure dosimeter

1. Field of the Invention A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling exposure to noise related to a headset are described. The method includes sampling an input sound signal to produce samples of the input sound signal, calculating from these samples a headset sound level corresponding to the input sound signal, calculating cumulative exposure of a headset user to the headset sound level at a specific point in time, and calculating a gain adjustment for the input sound signal to ensure that the total sound to which the headset user will be exposed during a selected time period is within the regulatory maximum level. Advantageously, the method and apparatus of the present invention allow accurate real-time monitoring of cumulative exposure to headset noise and real-time adjustment of headset gain to ensure compliance with regulatory maximum sound exposure levels.