Basic knowledge of engineering, physics and mathematics.

Acoustics is a branch of physics and technology related to the sense of hearing. In this course hearing and sound perception will be discussed with reference to physical characteristics of sound, properties of wave propagation, and procedures of sound measurement and analysis. Lectures will cover various dimensions of sound perception (loudness, pitch and time phenomena, binaural hearing), certain hearing models, measurement parameters specifically designed to represent perceived attributes of sound, and basic measurements for predicting the perceptual quantities. A part of the course will be devoted to practicum in acoustical measurements.

Hearing System

Structure: external and middle ear, inner ear, basic physiological mechanisms of hearing, Hearing: absolute thresholds, masking patterns, forward masking, frequency selectivity and masking, the concept of auditory filter, loudness, equal loudness contours, scaling of loudness, nonlinear distortion, temporal processing in the auditory  system, pitch perception, timbre perception, localization of sounds, binaural unmasking, models of auditory perception Noise: basic requirements of noise control, some effects of noise on man, hearing loss, hearing aids.

Acoustical measurements

General: Fundamental acoustic quantities, sound wave propagation, waves and vibrations, Sound measuring instrumentation: microphones, calibration, sound level meters, spectrum analyzers for acoustic signals, Measurements: sound pressure level measurements, sound intensity measurements.

Psychoacoustical measurements: methodology of psychoacoustical measurements, signal presentation paradigms, adaptive methods, signal detection theory in psychoacoustical measurements. 

Practicum

It is expected that the practicum will include measurements of perceptual attributes of sound (e.g. absolute hearing thresholds, masked thresholds). The lecture includes a presentation of the acoustical measurement equipment such as measurement microphones, sound level meters and spectrum analyzers. Visits to acoustical/sound engineering laboratories are also foreseen.

Suggested references

1. W. Hartmann: Signals, Sound, and Sensation; Springer, 1997.
2. J. Blauert: Communication Acoustics; Springer 2005.
3. D. R. Raichel: The Science and Applications of Acoustics; Springer , 2000.
4. D. C. Emanuel, Tomasz Letowski: Hearing Science; Lippincott, Wiliams and Wilkins; 2009.
5. J. Blauert, Ning Xiang: Acoustics for Engineers; Springer, 2008.
6. T. Rossing (editor): Springer Handbook of Acoustics, Springer, 2007.
7. T. Rossing, Neville H. Fletcher: Principles of Vibration and Sound; Springer, 2004.C.Harris
8. C.Harris (editor): Handbook of Acoustical Measurements and Noise Control, Mcgraw-Hill, 1997

Active participation in the course (compulsory attendance of classes, participation in practical exercises, etc). Evaluation test at the end of the course.

TBC