NOISE
ANNOYANCE
from noise level to noise quality
Considering vehicle noise, the amount of acoustic energy emitted is no longer of primary interest. In many cases the noise in the cabin of a passenger car or a mobile work machine does not reach a level harmful to the hearing. However, lots of other features of sound contribute to the auditory event through which the listener forms a subjective opinion about the noise. Instead of trying to reduce the noise level, the emphasis is nowadays on improving noise quality. The question is today: What makes a sound annoying, pleasant, or powerful?