Induced loudness reduction as a function of exposure time and signal frequency

Abstract

Induced loudness reduction (ILR) is the decline in the loudness of a weaker tone induced by a preceding stronger tone. In this study we investigate how ILR depends on exposure time and signal frequency. For 12 listeners, successive magnitude estimation was used to measure the loudness of 70-dB-SPL test tones, presented with and without preceding 80-dB-SPL inducer tones at the same frequency. Experiment 1 measured the evolution of ILR over time at 0.5 kHz. The results suggest that ILR may begin after a single inducer presentation, and increases over at least 2 to 3 min as the inducer and test tones are repeated every few seconds. Following the cessation of the inducer, the recovery of loudness is slow and still incomplete after 1 min. Experiment 2 extended the measurements to additional signal frequencies. The results show that the amount of ILR and its evolution over time are approximately the same at frequencies from 0.5 to 8 kHz. Similarly, loudness matching showed no effect of frequency on ILR, which averaged 8.2 dB. These findings, together with previously noted similarities among ILR, ipsilaterally induced loudness adaptation, and temporary loudness shift, indicate that loudness reduction induced by stronger sounds is a very common phenomenon.