A system for monitoring sound pressure levels at the ear includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) for receiving ambient sounds and an ear canal microphone (ECM) for producing audio signals as a function of ambient sound received at the ambient sound microphone and sound signal received from an associated personal audio device. A logic circuit is operatively associated with the ASM and ECM calculates a total SPL_Dose experienced by the ear at a time t. In one exemplary embodiment, the total SPL_Dose is calculated by determining SPL_Dose for periods Δt as measured at the ECM. The logic circuit then may then select an action parameter in response to the Total SPL_Dose.