Categorical loudness scaling and its relation to uncomfortable loudness levelsa)
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Published on: January 21, 2017
Leny Vinceslas1, Ifat Yasin1, Vit Drga1
1Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, WC1E 6EA, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Categorical loudness scaling (CLS) is a standardized procedure to measure the perception of sounds from inaudible to extremely loud. The present study investigated, in thirty-nine normal-hearing listeners (59% female; mean age 25 years) with a range of loudness sensitivities, the relationship between CLS and uncomfortable loudness levels (ULL). The sound level associated with a perception of medium loudness was highly correlated with the ULL. Thus, it may be possible to assess the loudness sensitivity for high-level sounds without necessarily presenting sounds that are perceived as loud or even extremely loud, which may be useful for certain vulnerable clinical populations.
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