Estimation of annoyance due to low level sound

Abstract The concept of sound character is introduced as a physical attribute responsible for any systematic differences in annoyance due to different sounds at the same A-weighted equivalent sound level. It is thought that this sound character is more important at low sound levels than at high ones. A pilot experiment with refrigerator sounds indicated a clear effect of sound character. In particular, sharp onsets were shown to worsen the character of such sounds.