Lautstärkeschätzung

Lautstärkeschätzung refers to the process of determining the perceived loudness of a sound. This is distinct from measuring sound pressure level, which is an objective physical measurement. Loudness is a subjective psychoacoustic attribute, meaning it depends on how humans perceive sound. Factors influencing loudness estimation include the sound's intensity (sound pressure level), its frequency spectrum, and the duration of the sound.

Several models and algorithms exist for lautstärkeschätzung, aiming to mimic human hearing. These models often incorporate frequency-dependent weighting curves, such as the A-weighting or the more complex loudness models like Zwicker's method or Moore and Glasberg's psychoacoustic models. These models account for the non-linear relationship between sound pressure and perceived loudness, as well as phenomena like auditory masking.

Applications of lautstärkeschätzung are widespread. In audio engineering and broadcasting, it's crucial for ensuring consistent loudness levels across different programs and platforms, preventing sudden jarring changes for listeners. This is often regulated by loudness standards like EBU R128. In noise assessment, it helps in evaluating the annoyance caused by environmental noise. It also plays a role in audio compression, aiming to preserve perceptually important loudness information while discarding less critical details. The goal is to provide a more meaningful measure of how loud a sound is to a human listener, rather than just its physical intensity.