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Changes in Sound Levels to the Human Ear

The table below is an approximation of human sensitivity to changes in sound levels. Sound intensity is not perceived directly at the ear: rather a complex hearing mechanism to the brain where acoustical sensations are interpreted as loudness transfers it. This makes hearing perception highly individualized.

Sensitivity to noise also depends on frequency content, time of occurrence, duration of sound, and psychological factors such as emotion and expectations. Nevertheless, the table is a reasonable guide to help explain increases or decreases in sound levels for many architectural acoustics situations.