Listening Test Comparing A-Weighted and C-Weighted Sound Pressure Level as Indicator of Wind Turbine Noise Annoyance

Abstract

A listening test was conducted to investigate whether A-or C-weighed sound levels are most suitable as indicator of annoyance due to wind turbine noise. The tests consisted of fifteen different wind turbine noises presented at eight sound levels together with pink noise signals as reference sounds. A total number of 31 persons performed the listening test divided into two subgroups. The first group comprising of 20 students conducted the test in a semi anechoic chamber, and the second group of 11 residents annoyed by wind turbine noise in their homes, conducted the test in their own homes. Results from both subgroups showed that A-weighed sound levels were a more accurate description of wind turbine noise annoyance than C-weighed sound levels. The residents found the same wind turbine noises more annoying than the students, indicating a higher sensitivity to wind turbine noise among persons a priori annoyed by this noise and exposed to this source in their residential settings.