PA announcements are audible but unclear
Noise & Acoustics · SERVICE 16
Onboard Reverberation and Speech Intelligibility Testing
A message can be loud but difficult to understand when reflections blur syllables or background noise masks important information. Vessel Doctor measures room acoustic response and speech intelligibility in selected vessel spaces to support PA performance, passenger experience, control-room communication and acoustic troubleshooting.
ACOUSTIC FIELD MAPPINGClear evidence→
VESSEL DOCTOROnboard Reverberation and Speech Intelligibility Testing
SURVEY PROFILENoise & Acoustics
16/19
Original category-specific diagnostic visual
01
WHY THIS SURVEY MATTERS
Evidence before assumption.
Large public rooms, hard-finished spaces, stairwells, vehicle decks and control rooms can develop excessive reverberation. Measuring decay and intelligibility provides evidence for acoustic treatment, speaker adjustment and system design.
02
MEASUREMENT SCOPE
What we measure.
- ✓Reverberation time by frequency band
- ✓Background noise
- ✓Speech Transmission Index or agreed intelligibility metric
- ✓Level distribution and signal-to-noise relationship
- ✓Spatial variation across listening positions
- ✓Effect of doors, occupancy and operating conditions where relevant
03
TIMING & APPLICATION
When to request it.
Newbuilding public-space acoustic acceptance
Control-room or meeting-space communication problems
After interior finishes or speaker systems change
Before specifying acoustic absorption treatment
Verification after remedial work
04
SURVEY PROCESS
A controlled route from plan to finding.
Define
Confirm the decision, vessel condition and evaluation basis.
Prepare
Agree locations, safe access, instruments and operating matrix.
Measure
Capture traceable data with conditions documented during measurement.
Interpret
Evaluate against the agreed basis and isolate meaningful patterns.
Report
Issue findings, limitations and focused next actions.
05
TECHNICAL DELIVERABLE
What you receive.
- ✓Space and receiver-location plan
- ✓Reverberation and intelligibility results
- ✓Frequency and spatial analysis
- ✓Identification of masking or reflection problems
- ✓Recommendations for treatment, speaker zoning or level adjustment
- ✓Verification results when retesting is included
06
STANDARDS & PROJECT CRITERIA
The governing basis comes first.
Use applicable editions of ISO 3382 for reverberation-time measurement and IEC 60268-16 for STI where agreed, together with relevant SOLAS/IMO, flag, class and contract requirements. Select the method according to the space and reporting purpose.
Important
Explore our standards directory↗Acceptance remains subject to the applicable flag administration, classification society, contract, vessel specification and authorised reviewing party.
ASIA + WORLDWIDE ATTENDANCE
Onboard Reverberation and Speech Intelligibility Testing wherever the vessel needs it.
Vessel Doctor coordinates this service for vessels in Singapore, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, wider Asian maritime centres and ports worldwide. The scope can support technical managers, marine superintendents, ship agents, owners, operators, shipyards and consultants who need documented onboard evidence.
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SERVICE FAQ
Questions project teams ask.
Every scope is confirmed against the actual vessel, timing and decision requirement.
01What is reverberation time?+
It describes how quickly sound decays in a space and indicates how reflective or absorptive the room is.
02Does a high PA level guarantee good intelligibility?+
No. Background noise, reverberation, distortion and speaker coverage can reduce understanding.
03Can testing be performed without passengers or crew present?+
Yes, but occupancy can change room absorption. The test condition must match the required assessment basis.
04Can you design the acoustic treatment?+
We can provide target areas and performance recommendations; detailed architectural or electroacoustic design can be added through an agreed specialist scope.
START A TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
Plan your onboard reverberation and speech intelligibility testing.
Share the vessel, location, operating condition and reporting purpose. We will help shape a focused, technically defensible survey scope.