Understanding Loudness Levels of Environmental Noise
Author Information
Author(s): Erik M. Salomons, Sabine A. Janssen
Primary Institution: Urban Environment, TNO
Hypothesis
How much does the loudness level vary in practice at constant A-weighted sound level?
Conclusion
The study found that the upper limits of loudness levels for broadband environmental noise spectra are about 20 to 40 phon higher than the lower limits for pure tones.
Supporting Evidence
- Loudness levels calculated for various environmental noise spectra were analyzed.
- The study provides diagrams showing the relationship between loudness level and A-weighted sound level.
- It highlights the effect of bandwidth and low-frequency content on perceived loudness.
Takeaway
This study looks at how loud different types of environmental noise, like traffic and airplanes, sound to people. It shows that the way we measure noise can make a big difference in how loud it seems.
Methodology
The study analyzed the relationship between loudness level and A-weighted sound level for various environmental noise spectra.
Limitations
The study does not suggest that loudness level is a better indicator of environmental noise than A-weighted sound level.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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