Loudness in the Laboratory, Part I: Steady-State Sounds

Abstract

Many of the basic principles believed to govern the perception of loudness are based on data obtained from laboratory studies of the loudness of steady-state sounds. Although this chapter emphasizes the most recent publications in this area, much of the knowledge base comes from earlier work, some of it from the earliest studies with electrically generated sounds. Early studies continue to be of interest because there have been few changes in basic concepts or measurement techniques and because the precise stimulus control made possible by digital signal generation is not necessary for the production of most steady-state sounds of the type used in studies of loudness. Many of the concepts discussed in recent publications, such as the loudness of tones at threshold, the relation between growth of loudness and peripheral nonlinearity and the effect of masking on the loudness of broadband sounds can be found in papers published more than 70 years ago. The quality of the early work is remarkable and it is important to preserve that early history.