Project outline
Exploring how the characteristics of industrial and commercial sounds influence annoyance through psychoacoustic experimentation.
Two noises can have the same sound pressure level, yet one may be far more annoying than the other because of its characteristics. You will design and carry out a series of listening experiments to explore these annoying characteristics of noise. The findings will be used to develop a more robust calculation method for noise assessment within BS 4142, the definitive British Standard used to assess the impact of noise for planning and resolving noise complaints.
Further project information
Environmental noise can affect quality of life, wellbeing and health. Consequently, we have methods to assess existing and future noise such as BS 4142 to reduce these harms. However, sounds with the same measured level are not always perceived in the same way. For this reason, BS 4142 contains a set of penalties dealing with when a sound has tonality, impulsivity and intermittency. More robust, evidence-based methods are needed for assessing these, however, including what happens when more than one of them is heard. You will design, carry out and analyse a series of listening experiments to explore human response to noise. From these you will develop models that relate objective characteristics calculated from noise signals to how annoying the sound is likely to be to a listener.
The Association of Noise Consultants will help guide the work to ensure it is relevant to current noise assessment. Philip Dunbavin will be a mentor. He is chair of the BSi committee dealing with BS 4142. Outcomes from the PhD will feed into revisions of BS 4142, meaning your research will directly influence environmental policy and practice.
Subject Areas
- Acoustics
- Psychology
- Environment
Required technical skills/academic qualifications/experience
You should have a 2:1 undergraduate or masters degree in a relevant science or engineering subject such as acoustics, audio technology, psychology and hearing science.
Experience in designing or running listening experiments is desirable. However, it is not required as some training will be provided by the CDT.
We particularly encourage applications from women and other groups under‑represented in research. All appointments will be made on merit.
Mode of attendance
Successful applicants are expected to register as full-time students. However, eligible UK home fees applicants may request to be considered for part-time attendance by the supervisory team.
Supervisors
Project Partners
This project is hosted at the University of Salford and supported by Association of Noise Consultants (ANC).
