Subjective annoyance caused by indoor low-level and low frequency noise and control method

Article type: Research Article

Authors: DI, Guo-qing | ZHANG, Bang-jun | SHANG, Qi

Affiliations: Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310028, China

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The influence of low-level noise has not been widely noticed. This paper discovered that low-level and low frequency noise (Aweighted equivalent level L_{eq} < 45 dB) causes higher probability of subjective annoyance. The fuzzy mathematic principle was applied to deal with the threshold level of subjective annoyance from noise in this study; there is preferable relationship between the indoor noise and noise annoyance at low frequency noise level. Study indicated at the same centered noise level, the change of annoyance probability is mainly caused by the change of the frequency spectrum characteristic of the indoor noise. Under low noise level environment, without change of the medium-low frequency noise, the slight increase of medium-high frequency noise level with the help of noise sheltering effect can significantly reduce the noise annoyance. This discovery brings a new resolution on how to improve the environmental quality of working or living places. A noise control model is given in this study according to the acoustic analysis.

Keywords: low-level noise, subjective annoyance, threshold level, structural noise, indoor noise, noise control

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 135-140, 2005