An LAeq is not an LAeq.

• Classical dose response relationships for environmental noise annoyance have been based on Ldn or Lden. These exposure measures are essentially based on an energy averaging measure, LAeq. Differences between groups of sources (e.g., continuous or event based) are accounted for by using separate dose-effect relationships. In society today, one often sees that event loudness is traded for number of events which is perfectly acceptable within the LAeq based annoyance concept. Clearly a more unified theory for noise annoyance is needed to fully account for the effect of such trade-offs. In this paper a model implementing such a theory is presented. The perceptual model starts from the premises that a sound event has to be noticed for it to contribute to overall annoyance. The model accounts for the fact that noticing a noise event not only depends on the level of the event itself but also on background noise, sound insulation and acoustic characteristics of the dwelling, level of attention, etc. The severity of the effect of a noticed sound on overall annoyance is assumed to primarily depend on the signal to noise ratio. The model allows to account for modifiers such as previous exposure, noise sensitivity, and coping. The model results are compared to the findings of a recent field experiment. Conclusions based on calculated and experimental trends are presented.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

notice events

annoyance

sound level

Psychology

Psykologi

Environmental psychology

Miljöpsykologi

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

art (subject category)