Psychological responses to amplitude-modulated low-frequency sound

Abstract

Amplitude-modulated low-frequency sound is a sound in which a pure tone with a carrier frequency lower than 100 Hz is a carrier wave, and the sound pressure level continuously fluctuates over time. This study measured psychological responses to amplitude-modulated low-frequency sounds using psychological questionnaires. We measured three sensations peculiar to low-frequency sounds, annoyance, vibratory sensation, and oppressive sensation caused by amplitude-modulated low-frequency sounds using a seven-grade rating scale. In addition, we measured the loudness and fluctuating sensation caused by amplitude-modulated low-frequency sounds using a magnitude estimation method. This paper discusses the relationship between the psychological response quantities and the physical quantity that constitutes the amplitude-modulated low-frequency sound, the dose-response relationship when exposed to amplitude-modulated low-frequency sound above the sensation threshold.