Chen, Kai;
Kang, Jian;
Ma, Hui;
(2024)
Effects of sound-source characteristics and personal factors on the perceived controllability of indoor acoustic environments in high-rise multi-unit residences.
Building and Environment
, 264
, Article 111935. 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111935.
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Abstract
It is widely recognized that the perceived controllability of immediate surroundings correlates with self-reported health and well-being. This study aimed to investigate how sound-source characteristics and personal factors influence the perceived controllability of indoor acoustic environments in high-rise multi-unit residences. A laboratory listening experiment was performed utilizing a 24.1 multichannel 3D audio system, and 36 participants were asked to assess the controllability ratings of 45 different acoustic scenarios each. The scenarios were defined by combining three outdoor sound sources, three sound sources from next-door units, and five floor impact sounds from upstairs, selected based on a questionnaire survey (N = 644) conducted before the experiment. Results highlighted the significant effects of floor impact sounds on perceived controllability, with effect sizes approximately 2 and 4 times greater than those of next-door and outdoor sounds, respectively. Regardless of outdoor or next-door sound types, the addition of footstep sounds consistently reduced total controllability ratings. Compared to individual impact sounds, lower total controllability ratings were observed when combined with speech noise from next-door units. The (psycho)acoustic metrics related to temporal variability and spectral content showed significant correlations with controllability ratings, which were negatively predicted by fluctuation strength. Participants with high noise sensitivity reported lower controllability ratings, especially for the acoustic scenarios involving airborne noise from next-door units. This study provides a theoretical reference for improving indoor soundscape quality in high-density residences.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Effects of sound-source characteristics and personal factors on the perceived controllability of indoor acoustic environments in high-rise multi-unit residences |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111935 |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111935 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Controllability, Indoor soundscape, Combined noise sources, Neighbour noise, Multi-unit residence |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10196095 |
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