A Multidimensional Evaluation Method for the Psychological Effects of Pure Tones at Low and Infrasonic Frequencies

Abstract

Subjective ratings of pure tones at low and infrasonic (3–40 Hz) were obtained on a set of semantic-differential-type scales and were analysed by factor analysis. From the results, it was concluded that there are three main factors in the human response to the stimulus sound, these are 1) sound pressure, 2) vibration, and 3) loudness. In order to predict the human responses from the physical variables of the sound stimuli, prediction equations were derived for each of the three factors. Also, equal sensation contours for the factors were obtained. From these results, a new evaluation method for the psychological effects is proposed, which considers the multidimensional aspects of human perception at loww and infrasonic frequencies.

A Study on the Relationship between Subjective Unpleasantness and Body Surface Vibrations Induced by High-level Low-frequency Pure Tones

“…A similar tendency was also observed for the second principal component, but the tendency of the second principal component was less remarkable than that of the third component and therefore, we could not conclusively relate the second principal component to any specific effect. However, taking into consideration the three factors (sound pressure, vibration, and loudness) found by Inukai et al 18) , we speculate that the second principal component corresponded to the effect of vibration.…”

“…According to Inukai et al 18) , three factors (sound pressure, vibration, and loudness) contribute to a person's subjective impressions of low-frequency noise. The sound pressure level is reasonably considered to be a representative value of the sound pressure sensation, while the VAL of noiseinduced vibration and the A-weighted sound pressure level are considered to be representative values of the vibration sensation and the loudness sensation, respectively.…”

“…The levels of this vibration (noise-induced vibration) are not especially high, but we found that noise-induced vibrations measured on the chest or abdomen were closely related to vibratory sensation perceived in each corresponding part of the body 22) . Taking the results obtained by Inukai et al 18) into account, it is reasonable to speculate that noise-induced vibrations contribute not only to vibratory sensation but also to unpleasantness or annoyance. If the contribution by noiseinduced vibration were confirmed, it would be useful for establishing a more effective evaluation method for adverse psychological effects caused by high-level low-frequency noise in working environments.…”

“…These studies imply that some other factors, in addition to the loudness, contribute to inducing unpleasantness or annoyance caused by low-frequency noise. In fact, Inukai et al 18) found that human psychological responses to low-frequency noise are primarily based on three factors: sound pressure, vibration, and loudness. This result suggests that not only hearing sensation but also additional factors contribute to unpleasantness or annoyance caused by low-frequency noise and that some of the additional factors may be related to vibration.…”

Low Frequency Noise and It's Psychological Effects

“…Møller (1987) measured the level of annoyance by pure tone with their range from 4 to 31.5Hz and he reported a significant increase in annoyance as the sound pressure was increased when measured by pure tone within the range of frequency. Inukai, Taya, Miyano & Kuriyama (1986) measured the psychological responses to pure tones with their ranges from 3 to 40Hz and they found the psychological responses consisted of perception of sound, pressure in the ears, and perceived vibration.…”