The taktmaximal-3 level is a time average value calculated every 3 seconds based taking the highest level occurring during the preceding three seconds and assuming that it was present for the whole of the 3 second interval. This is repeated every 3 seconds to produce a long term average level that will be higher than the equivalent continuous noise level, or Leq, depending on the impulsiveness of the sound under investigation. Comparison of the Ltm3 and the Leq will therefore give an objective measure of the impulsive nature of the noise when assessing nuisance or risk to hearing from high noise levels.