Can an artificially generated sound design improve the subjective evaluation of a vacuum cleaner noise? Results of a listening test with two vacuum cleaners.

Abstract

In this study, the sound of two vacuum cleaners was enhanced with a psychoacoustic based, artificially generated sound design. One sound design with a lower level (SD_quiet) and one with a higher level (SD_loud) were tested in addition to the condition without sound design (RB). A listening test with 32 subjects was used to evaluate if the added sound design improves subjective evaluation of loudness, annoyance, and noise quality. The results showed a significant difference between the subjective ratings of SD_loud and the subjective rating of RB for both vacuum cleaners. The operating noise with added sound design SD_loud was rated as more powerful, of higher quality, more efficient, and less howling. For one vacuum cleaner, although SD_loud was rated as significantly louder and had a higher sound pressure level than RB, it was not rated as more annoying. This shows the high potential of the use of artificially added sound design in household appliances. Furthermore, the investigation showed that a sufficient volume for an added sound design has to be chosen because there were less differences between SD_quiet and RB regarding the subjective evaluation.