Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Data Acquisition Protocol for Determining Embedded Sensitivity Functions
Published on: April 20, 2016
Subjective evaluation of heavy-weight floor impact sounds in relation to spatial characteristics
Jin Yong Jeon1, Pyoung Jik Lee, Jae Ho Kim
1Department of Architectural Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea. jyjeon@hanyang.ac.kr
Abstract:
This study investigated the effect of a spatial factor, the magnitude of interaural cross-correlation (IACC) function, on subjective responses to heavy-weight floor impact sounds. Heavy-weight impact sounds were generated by a heavy/soft impact source (impact ball) in real apartments, so that impact sound pressure levels (SPLs) (L(Amax)) and IACC could be analyzed. Just noticeable differences (JNDs) of impact SPL and IACC were investigated through the use of impact ball sounds. JNDs were determined by the criteria of 75% correct answers by participants, and it was found that JNDs of impact SPL and IACC were around 1.5 dB and 0.12-0.13, respectively. In addition, the annoyance caused by an impact ball was evaluated by changes in these two parameters. The results show that annoyance increased with increasing impact SPL and with decreasing IACC; the contributions of the two parameters to the scale value of annoyance were 79.3% and 20.4%, respectively. This indicates that the effects of IACC should be considered for the evaluation of annoyance, and the subjective response to impact ball sounds can be improved by controlling IACC, as well as impact SPL.
Related Concept Videos
Sound Intensity Level
The human ear can perceive an extensive range of sound intensity, necessitating the use of the logarithmic scale to define a physical quantity—the intensity level. It is a ratio of two intensities and hence a...
Assessment of the Abdomen II: Percussion
Percussion
Percussion is an essential...
Intensity and Pressure of Sound Waves
Unlike the time average of a sinusoidal term, which is zero since it is positive and...
Perceiving Loudness, Pitch, and Location
Place theory, or place coding, suggests that different pitches are heard because various sound waves activate specific locations along the cochlea's basilar membrane. The brain determines the pitch of a sound by identifying...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion
Percussion in Respiratory Assessment
Percussion evaluates underlying tissue composition with audible and tactile vibrations,...
Perception of Sound Waves
The pitch of a sound depends on the frequency and the pressure amplitude of the source. Two sounds of the same frequency...

