Acoustic quality on board ships

Abstract

Approaches to determine acoustic quality on board ships are usually based on a three- or five-stage classification system using critical A-weighted sound pressure levels. At times other criteria such as the sound insulation between cabins, impact noise from upper decks, speech interference levels or general noise-rating curves are also taken into account. With regard to increasing requirements of passenger comfort and crew accommodation, a more detailed evaluation of auditory perception on board would be worthwhile. Furthermore, other industrial sectors have stated that psychoacoustic or room acoustic models are useful tools to analyze and guarantee product-sound quality. In order to find better indicators for the quantification of acoustic performance of (luxury) vessels, audio material was acquired at a sea trial and evaluated with the help of a paired-comparison listening test in the laboratory by 30 test-persons. Also, the possibility to comment the judgments was given to the subjects. The results were then analyzed by using the statistic model of the “Law of Comparative Judgment” and compared by correlation analysis with physical, psychoacoustic, and room acoustic parameters. Highly correlating parameters could be identified.