Human Perception and Reaction to Noise

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the way people perceive and react to noise. It is shown that the physical characteristics of the noise do not fully determine the way people perceive it, nor the extent to which they are affected by it. Rather, psychological factors play an important role in modifying human noise perception and reaction. Processes such as attention and adaptation can change the perceived loudness of a noise. More importantly, people's sensitivity to noise in general and their attitudes towards the particular noise can produce reactions which are out of all proportion to the noise itself. These psychological modifiers of noise reaction need to be considered in developing and evaluating noise control procedures.