Annoyance provoked by single and combined sound sources from neighbours in wooden residential buildings

Abstract This study aimed to understand the annoyance provoked by the combination of impact and airborne sound sources from neighbours in wooden residential buildings. Footsteps (adult walking and child running), corresponding to noise from upstairs, were selected as impact sources. Music and speech from side dwellings were also chosen as airborne sound sources. A listening test was then performed on a group of adults who were asked to evaluate annoyance using an 11-point scale. During the experiment, participants were exposed to two different conditions (1) combined sounds (i.e., footsteps sound in combination with music or speech): and (2) individual sounds. The results showed that total annoyance ratings were affected by impact and airborne sound insulation of floors and partition walls and types of airborne sound sources. In particular, the airborne sound sources from side dwellings played a greater role in the total annoyance when impact sound insulation of the floor was poor. Perceptual models yielded better results in predicting the total annoyance ratings compared to physical models. Among the perceptual models, the mixed model was the best predictor for the impact and airborne sound sources. Overall noise sensitivity score from 35 items did not have a significant moderation effect on the total annoyance ratings, but the moderation effects of two subscales (‘work’ and ‘habitation’) were significant.