Relation Between Loudness and Masking

Abstract

A functional relationship between the loudness of a sound and the degree to which it masks single frequency tones, that is, the masking audiogram of the sound, is developed. A loudness masking function is determined experimentally. From this loudness masking relationship the loudness of a sound can be computed by simply integrating the area under the masking audiogram plotted on a special chart. Comparisons of computed and observed loudness levels are shown for a number of sounds and serve to illustrate the precision to be expected from the method. Finally, the results of a large number of masking tests are given in the form of masking contours, which enable one to predict the masking audiogram of a sound from measurements of its intensity spectrum.