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Human Dimension of the Soundscape: From Individuals to Society

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Soundscape Ecology

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Abstract

The sonic ambience associated with visual aesthetics is important to human well-being, and the search for a quiet area becomes a priority strategy in human societies surrounded by growing anthropogenic noise. The study of the soundscape from the human perspective requires a psychological approach that allows a synthesis between visual and acoustic stimuli.

The quality of the sonic ambience increases the acoustic capacity in human hearing and alters the relationship between acoustic cues and their cultural and social interpretation.

Noise sensitivity is defined as an attitude to rating sound according to an individual-based criterion and represents a major antecedent of individual noise annoyance. Sensitivity is independent of the predisposition to perceive a sound event more intensely or the capacity to better discriminate sounds.

Direct and indirect effects of noise exposure on human health produce hearing impairment, reduction of speech communication, cardiovascular risk, sleep disturbance, psychological and performance reduction effects, and a subjective feeling of annoyance. Exposure to outdoor noise represents the highest risk to human health. Insomnia is one of the most common effects, but in the long term ischemic heart disease and rising blood pressure have to be considered equally probable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Basic Sciences and Foundations, Urbino University, Urbino, Pesaro-Urbino, Italy

    Almo Farina

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  1. Almo Farina
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Farina, A. (2014). Human Dimension of the Soundscape: From Individuals to Society. In: Soundscape Ecology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7374-5_5

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