Estimation of loudness by questionnaire

Abstract

Using the method of magnitude estimation, the loudness of each of a range of everyday sounds was obtained from their short written descriptions with the aim of delineating a list of items that could be used to assess the loudness of specific sounds in settings remote from the laboratory. Individual loudness functions were obtained from 36 undergraduates for a white-noise standard at 80 dbA and comparison sounds. Using the same standard, a similar procedure was adopted in the 2nd stage, except that written descriptions of sounds were used for comparison. By means of a regression analysis, magnitude estimates from the 2nd stage were converted to equivalent decibel values using the Ss' loudness functions from the 1st stage. Mean levels were derived in this way for a list of 30 statements ranging from 38.4 to 95.3 dbA with standard deviations between 6.01 and 15.30 dbA. Possible means of improving the fidelity of this method for measuring loudness are suggested. (9 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)