Noise annoyance with respect to the distance of the noise source

摘要

Noise produced by source located farther from a listener is assessed as less annoying than noise produced by source of the same type that is located closer. This is explained by pointing to the fact that increase in distance of the source of noise causes decrease in loudness. However, the ground effect and air absorption phenomena change not only the sound level of the stimulus but also its spectral content. The aim of the present paper is to answer the question: what is the annoyance of noise produced by sources located at different distances but reaching listener's ear with the same loudness. The original railway noises recorded at two distances were artificially modified to make them equal in loudness. In psychoacoustic experiments subjects were asked to assess noise annoyance of original and modified sounds. The results are discussed with respect to the existing noise annoyance models.