Evaluation of steady noise from a multi-dimensional point of view

This paper describes the results of a study aimed at establishing a method of multi-dimensional noise evaluation. A description of the total negative impression of noise is obtained through subjective experiments with steady and almost steady sounds. The authors tried to determine Japanese descriptive adjectives independent of "ookii" (loud) in order to assess the total negative impression of noise. To do this, the authors introduced "degree of absolute noisiness" for evaluation of noise and measured it directly. Major conclusions are as follows: (1) at least two dimensions are needed to describe the total negative impression of noise; (2) one of the two dimensions is highly correlated with the Japanese adjective which means loud, and the other axis is correlated with the Japanese descriptive adjectives meaning harsh and unpleasant; (3) the scale "loud" correlates well with Zwicker's loudness and the scale "harsh" correlates highly with Bismarck's sharpness.