ANALYSIS OF NEIGHBOURING NOISE DISTURBANCE IN RECEIVING ROOM

• Main Author: Jaroslav Hejl
• Format: Article
• Language: ces
• Published: Czech Technical University, Prague 2017-04-01
• Series: Civil Engineering Journal
• Subjects: Listening tests; auralization; frequency; sound reduction index; subjective evaluation
• Online Access: http://www.civilengineeringjournal.cz/archive/issues/2017/2017_1/1-2017-0009.pdf

This paper is focused on analysis of neighboring noise as a disturbance agent. This problematics is closely connected with psychoacoustics or more generally with psychology. Therefore, methodology of research is based primarily on listening tests and questionnaires. The main research question lies in evaluation of difference of low/medium/high pitch noise on acoustic comfort of users. For purpose of this a method of auralization was introduced. The model was created by ODEON software and source noises were virtually reproduced through different partition walls. The virtual records in receiving room were accordingly replayed within listening tests. Results have shown that it is not easy to define one exact formula and answers depend on exact sounds and even there is not agreement through all of respondents. It should be mentioned that amount of respondents is too small for any definite statements. However, there is non-obvious and unexpected inclination to evaluated multi-layered light-weight structures as subjectively worse than adequately insulating concrete wall – at least from results obtained in this test. The possible explanation is an unnatural frequency spectrum of resulting sounds which are perceived as more disturbing despite they have lower sound pressure levels then in case of structure from reinforced concrete.