Authors: Susini, Patrick; McAdams, Stephen; Smith, Bennett K.

Source: Acta Acustica united with Acustica, Volume 93, Number 4, July/August 2007 , pp. 623-631(9)

Publisher: S. Hirzel Verlag

Abstract:

Loudness change has been studied for tones with linearly varying levels using different loudness rating methods, such as direct estimation or indirect estimation based on the starting and ending levels. The published results reveal an asymmetry depending on the direction of change (increasing vs. decreasing), the range of levels (high vs. low), and on the loudness rating method involved. The present study examines loudness asymmetry between increasing and decreasing levels for 1-kHz tones over the range 60-80 dB SPL and over four ramp durations (2, 5, 10 and 20 s) using two additional loudness ratings: continuous ratings and global ratings. A continuous analogical/categorical (A/C) rating scale was used, which consisted of an analog scale subdivided into seven discrete categories labeled from very, very loud to very, very soft. Two measures are obtained, examined and analyzed separately: indirect and direct loudness measures that correspond to the loudness change extracted from continuous ratings and the overall loudness impression, respectively. Loudness changes do not reveal any significant perceptual asymmetry between an increasing and a decreasing ramp. In addition, results do not reveal any "decruitment" effect, i.e. the loudness of a continuously decreasing tone changes more rapidly as a function of sound pressure level, which is in agreement with previous results for this range of levels. On the other hand, direct estimation of the global loudness, i.e. an overall loudness rating of the stimulus, is higher for an increasing ramp than for a decreasing ramp. This result is in agreement with previous studies and can be described by a memory process dominated by the ending level.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2007-07-01

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• Acta Acustica united with Acustica, published together with the European Acoustics Association (EAA), is an international, peer-reviewed journal on acoustics. It publishes original articles on all subjects in the field of acoustics, such as general linear acoustics, nonlinear acoustics, macrosonics, flow acoustics, atmospheric sound, underwater sound, ultrasonics, physical acoustics, structural acoustics, noise control, active control, environmental noise, building acoustics, room acoustics, acoustic materials, acoustic signal processing, computational and numerical acoustics, hearing, audiology and psychoacoustics, speech, musical acoustics, electroacoustics, auditory quality of systems. It reports on original scientific research in acoustics and on engineering applications. The journal considers scientific papers, technical and applied papers, book reviews, short communications, doctoral thesis abstracts, etc. In irregular intervals also special issues and review articles are published.
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