What does an equal loudness curve tell us about human hearing?

What does an equal loudness curve tell us about human hearing?

We can say that sounds A and D have the same loudness since both are on the same equal loudness curve. Sound B is above the 60 phon curve, so that implies that it would be perceived as louder than A or D. In fact, since sound B is at 1000Hz and has an intensity of 65 dB, we can say that its loudness is 65 phons.

What do equal loudness contours show?

An equal-loudness contour is a measure of sound pressure level, over the frequency spectrum, for which a listener perceives a constant loudness when presented with pure steady tones.

How do equal loudness contours relate to loudness perception?

Equal-loudness contours describe the apparent loudness of a sound in relation to its frequency for human listeners. This scale is important because human loudness perception is extremely sensitive to differences in frequency.

What is the loudest frequency?

Loudness and pitch For a person with normal hearing, when it comes to pitch the human hearing range starts low at about 20 Hz. That’s about the same as the lowest pedal on a pipe organ. On the other side of the human hearing range, the highest possible frequency heard without discomfort is 20,000Hz.

What is equal loudness line?

Equal-loudness contour is a measure of sound pressure over a spectrum of frequencies that are perceived as being equally loud to the hearer when expressed as a pure, constant tone. The measurement for loudness is the ‘phon’ and this is determined by referencing equal loudness contours.

How does your equal loudness curve will change as you age?

Equal-loudness-level contours (ELLCs) indicate com- binations of the frequency and sound pressure level of pure tones that are perceived as equally loud to listeners under specified listening conditions. People become less sensitive to sounds with age.

What is equal loudness principle?

Why loudness does not depend on frequency?

Greater the amplitude, louder is the sound. Shrillness of a sound is the virtue of its frequency. Therefore, the shrillness of the sound only depends upon the frequency. Thus, the answer to this question is loudness and overtones present.

When to use an equal loudness curve?

Where the curve dips between 2000-5000Hz, this implies that less sound intensity is necessary for the ear to perceive the same loudness as a 120dB, 1000Hz tone. In contrast, the strong rise in the curve for 0 phons at low frequencies shows that the ear has a notable discrimination against low frequenciesfor very soft sounds.

Can a sound have the same loudness as a sound?

We can say that sounds A and D have the same loudness since both are on the same equal loudness curve. This curve passes through 60dB at 1000Hz, so we characterize all sounds on that equal loudness curve, including sounds A and D, as having a loudness of 60 phons.

Is the loudness of sound always the same at 1000 Hz?

In fact, since sound B is at 1000Hz and has an intensity of 65 dB, we can say that its loudness is 65 phons. The perceived loudness at 1000 Hz is the reference point for defining the equal loudness curve through that point, so the numerical value of phons and dB is always the same at 1000 Hz.

Which is louder sound B or sound d?

Sound B is above the 60 phon curve, so that implies that it would be perceived as louder than A or D. In fact, since sound B is at 1000Hz and has an intensity of 65 dB, we can say that its loudness is 65 phons.