In an embodiment, a method for calculating a noise index value for a digital audio source in a server computer system that is coupled to a plurality of audio sources and configured to operate a teleconference among the plurality of digital audio sources comprises receiving a first digital audio signal from the digital audio source of the one or more digital sources. Using the server computer system, the process identifies two or more types of sounds that are represented in the first digital audio source. The types of sounds identified include at least two of: one or more human voices; a background noise; or an actionable sound that mandates further action. Using a server computer system, calculating the noise index value based upon the types of sounds identified from the first digital audio signal. The noise index value represents a summation of relative magnitudes particular types of sounds that has been identified in the first digital audio signal in relation to other types of sounds that have been identified in the first digital audio signal. The process then visually presents the noise index value to one or more client computers of the one or more digital audio sources in a user interface screen display of an audio conference manager that the one or more client computers execute.