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The human effects of noise: criteria and units

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Acoustics for Engineers

Abstract

The ear is rather like a microphone. A diaphragm (the eardrum) moves in response to pressure waves, and the motion is sensed and converted to an electrical signal by nerve endings. The signal is passed to the brain, where it gives rise to the sensation of sound. The ear, like a microphone, creates an electrical analogue of the sound. The signal processing carried on in the brain enables us to discriminate between different tones, to recognise speech, to enjoy music, and even (sometimes) to identify a speaker through the distortion of a telephone.

What is it that roareth thus? Can it be a Motor Bus?

Yes, the smell and hideous hum, Indicat Motorem Bum.

A. D. Godfrey

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References

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Copyright information

© 1991 J. D. Turner and A. J. Pretlove

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Turner, J.D., Pretlove, A.J. (1991). The human effects of noise: criteria and units. In: Acoustics for Engineers. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-21267-5_2

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