Perception of sounds with low-frequency tonal components

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jesko L. Verhey
• Subject Area: Acoustics
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 517759354

Low-frequency noise has a considerable impact on the perception of sounds. The sound sources are often manmade, e.g. compressors, car or ships. Important parts of the energy transition like wind turbines or heat pumps can also emit such low-frequency sounds. Thus, to evaluate the noise emission of environmental sounds, it is crucial to understand the perception of the low-frequency content of a sound by the auditory system. The audible low-frequency range extends from 20 Hz to around 250 Hz. The sound can be perceived as humming, rumbling or booming, if the sound contains tonal components in this range. These sensations are specific to the low-frequency range. A humming sound contains a low-frequency pure tone; if the level of this tone varies over time, it is perceived as rumbling. Does the sound contain, apart from the low frequency component, also higher tonal components it can be perceived as booming. The aim of the project is to characterise main contributions to the sensations humming, rumbling and booming. To this end, the effect of the variation of characteristic signal properties of basic signal types on the sensations is measured. The results are used to develop models of these sensations. The long-term goal is to use simulations of the sensations humming, rumbling and booming in models for noise evaluation of environmental sounds with respect to annoyance, pleasantness or quality.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants