ABSTRACT
Many methods for measuring noise typically focus on sound level, as level is a general indicator of how disturbing a noise may be. One of the most common indices is the Aweighted decibel level, dB(A), which uses a frequency-dependent weighting function to account for the ear’s frequency-dependent sensitivity to sound (Harris, 1998). However, there are few simple methods (i.e., not requiring special equipment or signal processors) that indicate sound quality, in particular, the spectral characteristics (or the relative levels of low, mid, and high frequencies) of a given noise signal. As discussed in the next section, a set of noise spectra with the same dB(A) level may each be perceived very differently with respect to annoyance or acceptability.
