Swinbanks, M. Numerical Simulation of Infrasound Perception
Malcolm A. Swinbanks
Inter.Noise USA 2012
In earlier presentations, the author has argued that conventional assessments of the perception of infrasound based on mean (rms derived) sound energy levels underestimate the importance of the associated crest factor of very low frequency sound pressure variations.
By simulating the dynamic response of the ear at levels close to the hearing threshold, it is apparent that infrasound may be perceptible at lower levels than those based on long time constant rms assessment. In particular, it will be shown that the existence of a finite threshold of audibility, together with the added presence of low level higher frequency noise in the first critical band (i.e. below 100Hz), can imply the perception of infrasound at significantly lower levels than has hitherto been acknowledged.
The results of simulations will be compared to independently reported effects which have been observed in laboratory testing by other researchers.