Perceived Roughness - A Recent Psycho-Acoustic Measurement

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Audio Engineering Society

Convention Paper
Presented at the 126th Convention
2009 May 7–10 Munich, Germany

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Journal of the Audio Engineering Society.

Perceived Roughness -
a Recent Psycho-Acoustic Measurement
Robert Mores1 , Thorsten Smit1 and Jana-Marie Wiese1
1
University of Applied Science, Hamburg, Germany

Correspondence should be addressed to Robert Mores ([email protected])

ABSTRACT
This paper relates to an investigation on perceived roughness from Aures in 1984 where findings are based on
psycho-acoustic tests with synthetic sounds and a small group of people. The related results have repeatedly
been used for modelling roughness perception since then, for instance in the context of noise perception.
Roughness is again an issue when investigating the perceived quality or timbre of musical sounds. In this
context, roughness is one among some ten mid-level features to be extracted. Here, perceived roughness
is measured again, but on a wider basis than in the earlier investigation. This paper outlines the psycho-
acoustic investigation, basically following the method of Aures, but modifying some of the issues under
question. The results are reasonable and differ from the earlier findings in various aspects.

1. MOTIVATION quality, roughness is one among some ten mid-level


This paper strictly relates to the investigation on features to be extracted. During their modelling ap-
perceived roughness from Aures in 1984 [2]. There, proach, the authors were hesitant to use the data
modulation intensity, carrier- and modulation- base of Aures for a number of reasons. Therefore,
frequency were varied in synthetic sounds and used the original psychoacoustic test has been repeated
in listening tests. Since then the related findings with some alterations to obtain alternative raw data
have repeatedly been used for modelling roughness on perceived roughness. The community may wish
perception [1] [3] [9], e.g. in the context of noise per- to use this alternative data set when working on per-
ception [6] [8]. Roughness is also an issue when in- ception models. This paper outlines where the test
vestigating the perceived quality of musical sounds. method of Aures has been followed and where is-
In the context of a research project on violin sound sues under question have been addressed by modifi-
Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

cations. It also describes the true test conditions for carrier frequency of 1 kHz are specifically important.
presented results. Here this circumstance is appreciated in particular
by defining an anchor parameter set. As this set is
2. METHOD USED AND ALTERATIONS important for linking the results of the two phases,
In principle the method employed here follows the the group size has been enlarged to 50 individuals.
basic idea already used by Aures [2]: in a first The larger group on this parameter set also helps to
test phase, two tones of same carrier frequency estimate confidence levels for the other parameter
are presented, and individuals have to adjust sets with only 20 participants.
the modulation intensity for specific modulation
frequencies until the perceived roughness matches Apart from these modifications, there are a
that of a reference sound of different modulation few other issues where the Aures publication does
frequency. This first test phase therefore delivers not fully outline details of interest to the reader or
sensitivity of perceived roughness against variations of relevance to the procedure:
of modulation frequency. In a second phase, rough-
ness across different carrier frequencies is compared a) The Aures investigation says nothing about
within sound pairs, maintaining the modulation the eight individuals involved in the test. In
frequency for both sounds, and, again, adjusting the this investigation, the 50 individuals are ran-
modulation intensity until the perceived roughness domly chosen people, mainly from the faculty
matches. This second phase delivers sensitivity of environment. None of the individuals has been
perceived roughness against variations of carrier involved in the research questions behind the test.
frequency. Finally, results from the two phases are None of the individuals has specifically been trained.
roughly brought into a common context, and the
perceived roughness is mapped against the three b) Individuals have been interviewed on musi-
parameters used. This investigation uses the same cal skills or training after execution of the test.
sequence of test phases and the same final context Therefore, individuals have not been biased prior to
map. It also employs the same test procedure, using the test, nor have they been under pressure in terms
the method of adjustment on sound pairs. Most of expected performance. The subsequent question-
of the parameters of the synthetic sounds are also naire allows for classification across individuals and
identical. for meaningful evaluation of data, e.g. perception
of musicians vs. non-musicians.
The few modifications of our test approach
are fully conform with the general recommendations c) The sound pairs are randomly permutated.
for psychophysical tests from Hellbrück et al. [5]. However, the permutation has been manually
re-edited to maximize options for cross checking
a) The number of sound pairs to be adjusted the obtained raw data between groups and between
by individuals is 18 for the first test phase and 12 parameter sets.
for the second test phase, compared to 124 and
112 sound pairs in the respective Aures test. The d) The authors expected that individuals would
authors felt more confident when requesting only need the first few sound pairs for adapting to the
some 20 minutes of attention from individuals, test environment and for finding some confidence
rather than hours. when adjusting the modulation intensity. Therefore
three sounds were presented to individuals prior to
b) The group size is more than doubled com- the test phase: a slightly vibrating tone, a rough
pared to the former test, 20 instead of eight tone, and a rather rough tone.
individuals. This larger group size should deliver an
improved statistical basis. e) In addition, the uncertainty of the early
test phase is addressed by allocating a larger group
c) According to Aures’ method for the final size for the first few sound pairs. The permutation
context mapping, results for sound pairs with a has been adjusted in a way that parameter sets

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

with a larger group size are likely to be presented fc in Hz 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
in the early test phase. fm in Hz 50 50 50 70 70 70

Table 3: predefined reference sounds for test phase


one
3. TEST SETUP

3.1. Parameters Sets, Group Size and Allocation (TG). Test groups one to five are allocated across the
The sounds consist of a carrier with carrier frequency different carrier frequencies:
fc , AM modulated with modulation frequency fm
and modulation intensity m. Sounds are synthesized index fc a b c d e f
according to TG1 x x x
TG2 x x x
ym = sin(2πfm · t) (1)
TG3 x x x
yc = sin(2πfc · t) (2) TG4 x x x
TG5 x x x
yAM = (1 + m · ym ) · yc . (3)
Table 4: Allocation of test groups (TG) across car-
Sampling rate is always fs = 44.1 kHz and the sig- rier frequencies fc (see table 1)
nal duration is tsig = 1 s.
This test uses the same set of carrier frequencies as
Aures did for his investigation: According to this allocation, the carrier frequency 1
kHz is presented to 50 individuals, whereas all other
carriers are presented to only 20 individuals.
index a b c d e f 3.2. Permutation
fc in Hz 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 Table 5 lists the permutation map for test group
two. Letter and number for each entry correspond
Table 1: set of carrier frequencies used
to the indices of carrier and modulation frequency
according to Tables 1 and 2. For example, the
sound c1 represents a 500 Hz carrier which is
The set of modulation frequencies is reduced com-
modulated with 40 Hz. In the first test phase
pared with the Aures approach in order to reduce
the respective reference sound is a signal with the
the number of parameters and to enhance the test
same carrier frequency. Specifically, the carrier is
quality for the parameters of interest:
again fc = 500 Hz, modulated with fm = 50 Hz,
according to Table 3. Sounds under investigation
index 1 2 3 4 5 6 are always modulated with m = 0.7, whereas the
fm in Hz 40 55 65 75 90 120 modulation intensity of the reference sound is to
be adjusted. Sound pairs number four to 18 are
Table 2: set of modulation frequencies used randomly permutated with some manual correction
to avoid long sequences of always the same carrier
frequencies. The early sound pairs number one to
Sound pairs always consist of a sound under inves- three employ two distinct sequences to allow for
tigation and a corresponding reference sound, pre- cross checking raw data within and between test
defined according to table 3. The modulation fre- groups.
quency fm is chosen roughly in the area of an ex-
pected maximum for the perceived roughness. In test phase two the reference sound always
consists of a 1 kHz carrier using the same modu-
50 individuals have been organized in five test groups lation frequency as the sound under investigation

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

VP 2.1 VP 2.2 VP 2.3 VP 2.4 VP 2.5 VP 2.6 VP 2.7 VP 2.8 VP 2.9 VP 2.10

1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d6 d6 d6 d6 d6
2 d5 d5 d5 d5 d5 d3 d3 d3 d3 d3
3 d2 d2 d2 d2 d2 d4 d4 d4 d4 d4
4 e5 b2 b1 e6 e6 b5 b4 e2 b1 e3
5 e4 d6 b3 e1 b5 e5 b5 e6 b4 e2
6 b1 b6 e5 b5 b6 e6 d5 b6 b2 b1
7 b4 b5 b2 b1 b3 b6 e5 d1 d2 b2
8 e6 e4 d3 d6 e5 b4 e3 d2 e2 b3
9 e3 b3 d4 b4 e1 e3 b1 e1 e3 e4
10 e1 d4 e4 e3 e4 d1 b3 e4 d1 d5
11 d3 d3 e2 e2 d3 d2 b2 b2 d5 d2
12 d4 e1 e3 e4 d6 d5 e4 b3 e4 d1
13 b3 e3 b4 d4 e3 e4 e1 b1 e1 e1
14 e2 e6 d6 d3 e2 b3 d2 e3 e5 b4
15 b5 b4 b6 b2 d4 b2 d1 e5 b3 b6
16 b6 b1 b5 e5 b2 b1 b6 d5 b6 e6
17 d6 e2 e1 b3 b4 e2 e6 b5 b5 e5
18 b2 e5 e6 b6 b1 e1 e2 b4 e6 b5

Table 5: Permutation map for TG 2 in phase one

and a modulation intensity m = 0.7. This allows quence to lean on earlier decisions. Individuals were
evaluation of perceived roughness across different always aware of their work progress.
carrier frequencies.
Before the test, individuals were allowed to set their
favoured loudness level for comfortable listening, but
3.3. Test Environment and Conditions they were also instructed to maintain the loudness
Individuals executed the test alone in an acoustically level over the test. Three learning sounds were pre-
dry and silent room in the morning hours. They were sented to individuals prior to the test: (i ) a slightly
given enough time to comfortably do the test. Short vibrating tone, fc = 1 kHz, fm = 10 Hz, m = 0.4,
steady-state sounds of one second duration were au- (ii ) a rough tone d1 with m = 0.6 and (iii ) a rather
tomatically generated on a computer and binaurally rough tone d4 with m = 0.9. Prior to the test,
presented via external sound board (U A − 25) and a individuals were also introduced to the use of the
headset (HD 202). Individuals had the free choice very simple GUI. They were encouraged to settle all
to repeatedly listen to the sounds and to jump be- questions before they were left alone with the test.
tween the reference sound and the sound under in- Questions on the purpose of the test or the related
vestigation in order to adjust the level of modula- research questions have not been answered. Individ-
tion intensity m. Control and adjustment were done uals were encouraged to take a break between the
via a MATLAB-based graphical user interface and two test phases.
mouse. The control bar for the modulation intensity
allowed for adjusting m continuously between zero - 3.4. Test Log Book
no modulation at all - and one - maximum depth. The mean working duration was 13.4 min with a
Therefore, the technically limited parameter space deviation of 4.0 min for the first test phase (18 sound
was much wider, than the space needed for the task. pairs), and was 12.9 min with a 3.9 min deviation
Each sound pair was presented on a separate page for the second test phase (12 sound pairs) after an
and adjustment results were captured from individ- average break of 10 min. From 50 individuals nine
uals with each step through the sequence of pages. persons set the loudness to a slightly lower level and
There was no way back in reverse direction of the se- one person to a slightly higher level.

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

4. RESULTS the expectation that roughness assessments become


less precise with increasing distance between the
4.1. Reasoning Raw Data characters of the sound. On the contrary, entries
Raw data from the tests consist of 1650 individual close to the reference point deliver small quartiles,
adjustments of modulation intensity. Reasoning this since investigated sounds have a modulation fre-
data raises confidence: (i ) only eleven adjustments quency similar to the reference sound. This is true
used the technical limit m = 1, (ii ) quartiles do for all carriers, but it is not even generally the case
not vary much from group to group, (iii ) quartiles in the Aures investigation.
do not vary much across parameter sets, (iv ) quar- Results from the second test phase are shown in
tiles are the same for both group sizes, confidently Figure 2. Again, the graphs identify modulation
showing that the group size of 20 already delivers intensity versus modulation frequency, however,
trustworthy data, (v ) quartiles do not vary for dif- the reference point is not within the same graph,
ferent sequences of the early sound pairs number one it is always the 1 kHz carrier of same modulation
to three. These and other cross checks build confi- frequency. For example, the 250 Hz carrier with
dence in the obtained data base. m = 0.7 and the 1 kHz carrier with m = 0.22 -
Raw data has been cleared by one out of 50 test both modulated with fm = 75 Hz - are perceived
persons after careful check. One reason for this equally rough. Medians differ from the result in the
clearance are loose and volatile individual decisions Aures investigation. They are in particular smaller
in combination with an extended working duration. for the 250 Hz and the 500 Hz carrier, and larger
Another reason is that the test person admitted for the 4 kHz carrier. Quartiles are again larger in
a hearing defect during the subsequent interview. this investigation.
The remaining 49 data sets are rated trustworthy,
even though another seven individuals reported mi-
These graphs already indicate that humans are most
nor hearing deficiencies, see appendix.
sensitive for roughness perception in the 1 to 2 kHz
4.2. Results on Perceived Roughness range. This can be made clearer when mapping the
The data sets from the remaining 49 test persons results into one chart, following the same scaling
deliver median and quartile for investigated param- procedure as in the Aures investigation. Aures did
eter sets of equally perceived roughness. Figure not explicitly mention the scaling function, but it
1 shows the adjusted modulation intensity versus can easily be figured out as
modulation frequency for different carriers. Results
in each plot are related to the reference sound - {2} {1}
mi (k) · mi=a (k)
the entry without quartiles. For example, with m̃i (k) = , (4)
0.72
the 250 Hz carrier, a sound under investigation
with fm = 120 Hz and m = 0.7 provoked the where i = fc , (see table 1), k = fm (see table 2) and
{p}
same roughness perception as the reference sound with p = 1, 2 (test phase one and two).
at fm = 50 Hz and m = 0.32. This definition of Figure 3 maps the results from both phases together
Aures might seem irritating in the first place, but and can be interpreted as the sensitivity of perceived
it is reasonable since now the plot can be read as roughness against carrier frequency and modulation
a sensitivity map: at which modulation frequencies frequency. The desired scaling on the abscissa would
are people particularly sensitive when it comes to probably be an absolute measure of roughness for
roughness? In this example, people seem less sensi- everyone. However, the relation between roughness
tive at higher modulation frequencies. The medians and modulation intensity is not linear in the first
agree well with the results from Aures. Quartiles place and in addition it is not the same across dif-
are larger here than in the Aures investigation. ferent carriers [7] [11]. Therefore, interpretations of
the early Aures result and likewise the interpretation
A very satisfying result is that quartiles increase of this graph should bear in mind the underlying
when modulation frequencies of the two sounds be- wrong assumption of linear relationship. We follow
come distant. This result is in full accordance with the general conviction that the perceived roughness

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

fc = 125 Hz fc = 250 Hz fc = 500 Hz


1 1 1

m 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140

fc = 1 kHz fc = 2 kHz fc = 4 kHz


1 1 1

m 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140
fm fm fm

Fig. 1: Results from the first test phase - comparison of different modulation frequencies for individual
carriers - graphs represent modulation intensity versus modulation frequency
fc = 125 Hz fc = 250 Hz fc = 500 Hz
1 1 1

m 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140

fc = 1 kHz fc = 2 kHz fc = 4 kHz


1 1 1

m 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140
fm fm fm

Fig. 2: Results from the second test phase - comparison of different carriers for individual modulation
frequencies - graphs represent modulation intensity versus modulation frequency

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

1.2
fc = 1 kHz

0.8
fc = 125 Hz fc = 2 kHz
fc = 4 kHz
m̃ 0.6

fc = 250 Hz
0.4

fc = 500 Hz
0.2

0
20 40 60 80 100 120 140
fm

Fig. 3: Sensitivity of perceived roughness against carrier frequency and modulation frequency

R = mα , where α ranges from roughly 1 to 2 in the spent. The classification was done after the test,
literature, and is not necessarily considered as con- there was no pre-selection or call for musicians. Par-
stant over carrier frequency. Therefore the abscissa ticipants without any skills on musical instruments
represents a qualitative measure rather than a quan- are classified as non-musicians, whereas all partici-
titative measure. Reading the figure appropriately, pants with training on at least one musical instru-
the scaling still reflects the method from the test, ment are classified as musicians. By pure chance, the
where parameter sets match for equally perceived two groups have almost equal size: 23 non-musicians
roughness. Absolute measures for the perceived and 26 musicians.
roughness would require further investigations.
The main result is that humans are most sensitive in Figures 4 and 5 show the results for the group of mu-
the 1 kHz region. Perceived roughness declines with sicians and non-musicians, respectively. There are
higher carrier frequency. It declines for lower carrier only few minor differences in the results. Quartiles
frequencies and even stronger when the modulation are slightly smaller for many entries in the group
frequency rises. For the 1 kHz carrier the maximum of musicians. There are minor differences for the
roughness is confirmed at 70 Hz modulation. For 125 Hz and 250 Hz carriers at low modulation fre-
lower carrier frequencies, the maximum roughness is quencies. However, this seems to be an area of gen-
perceived at much lower modulation frequencies. eral uncertainty. It is the same parameter range
where the results here differ from Aures’ results.
4.3. Results across Classes Apart from this area, the difference between me-
Perceived roughness seems to be independent from dians from the two groups is always significantly
the fact, whether an individual has been actively smaller than the uncertainty of the entire approach,
exercising a musical instrument or not. For this expressed in the quartiles. Therefore it seems, that
comparison, the participants have been interviewed there are no large differences in human perception
about their musical practice, instruments and time of roughness, whether musician or not.

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

fc = 125 Hz fc = 250 Hz fc = 500 Hz


1 1 1

m 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140

fc = 1 kHz fc = 2 kHz fc = 4 kHz


1 1 1

m 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140
fm fm fm

Fig. 4: Results from the first test phase - comparison of different modulation frequencies for individual
carriers - non-musicians
fc = 125 Hz fc = 250 Hz fc = 500 Hz
1 1 1

m 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140

fc = 1 kHz fc = 2 kHz fc = 4 kHz


1 1 1

m 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140 20 60 100 140
fm fm fm

Fig. 5: Results from the first test phase - comparison of different modulation frequencies for individual
carriers - musicians

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

[2] Aures, W., “Berechnungsverfahren für den


Wohlklang beliebiger Schallsignale, ein Beitrag
5. FINDINGS zur gehörbezogenen Schallanalyse”, Disserta-
There are five main findings in this contribution. tion, TU München, 1984.
a) The findings of Aures can roughly be confirmed
concerning the medians of raw data gained from [3] Daniel, P., “Berechnung und kategoriale
both two test phases. Researchers can generally be Beurteilung der Rauhigkeit und Unan-
reassured when trusting Aures’ data for their per- genehmheit von synthetischen und technischen
ception model. However, anyone may feel free to use Schallen”, C. v. O. Universität Oldenburg,
this alternative data set for tuning or conformance 1995.
evaluation. Raw data under [12]. [4] Fastl, H., Zwicker, E., “Psychoacoustics - Facts
b) A major finding is that there are values for m̃ and Models”, Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidel-
greater than 1 (see Fig. 3), which is well-grounded berg, 3rd edition, 2007.
with an increased sensitivity of the modulation in-
[5] Hellbrück, J., Ellermeier, W., Kohlrausch, A.,
tensity m (see Fig. 1) in test phase one.
Zeitler, A. “Kompendium zur Durchführung
c) The precision of Aures’ results, however, cannot von Hörversuchen in Wissenschaft und in-
be confirmed. Quartiles are generally larger here dustrieller Praxis”, Deutsche Gesellschaft für
and are very reasonable as outlined. Looking back Akustik e.V., Berlin 2008.
from the experience gained in this project, the sharp
results are only obtainable with strongly precondi- [6] Sontacchi, A., “Entwicklung eines Mod-
tioned individuals. ulkonzeptes für die psychoakustische
Geräuschanalyse unter MatLab”, Diplo-
d) Differences between medians of the two works are marbeit, TU Graz, 1998.
in many cases larger than the quartiles of the Au-
res results. This observation recommends that re- [7] Schulz, H.H., “Rauhigkeit, Lautstärke und
searchers should not overemphasize accuracy when Mithörschwellen von amplitudenmoduliertem
using a solitary data basis only. Breitbandrauschen”, Diplomarbeit, TU
München, 1975.
e) Musicians and non-musicians seem to perceive
roughness in the same way. The method used here [8] Sottek, R., “Modelle zur Signalverarbeitung
does not identify differences that would justify build- im menschlichen Gehör”, Dissertation RWTH
ing separate perception models. Aachen, 1993.
f) The results form a group with 50 participants [9] Sottek, R., “Gehörgerechte Rauhigkeitsberech-
did not deliver qualitatively different quartiles when nung”, in: Fortschritte der Akustik - DAGA
compared to results from a group with 20 partici- 1994.
pants.
[10] Terhardt, E., “On the Perception of Periodic
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Sound Fluctuation (Roughness)”, Acustica 30,
The authors wish to thank the German Federal Min- p 201-213, 1974.
istry of Education and Research for funding the re-
search project on violin tone quality. [11] Vogel, A., “Ein gemeinsames Funktionss-
chema zur Beschreibung der Lautheit und der
Rauhigkeit”, Dissertation TU München 1974.

7. REFERENCES [12] For raw data:


http://www.mt.haw-
[1] Attia, F., Okker, A., “Unterscheidung zwischen
hamburg.de/home/mores/
Rauhigkeitsmodellen und Übereinstimmung
→ Veröffentlichungen
mit dem subjektiven Gehöreindruck”, in:
Fortschritte der Akustik - DAGA 1995.

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

Test person Musical Active years Time spent Listening to Age Hearing
instrument hours/week classical deficiency

TP1.1 - - - y 28 n
TP1.2 guitar 17 abandoned n 31 n
bass guitar 17 abandoned
TP1.3 guitar 18 14 n 32 y1
bass guitar 18 14
TP1.4 - - - n 26 n
TP1.5 Trombone 8 abandoned n 27 n
TP1.6 saxophone 12 3-4 n 27 n
guitar 4 2
piano 2 abandoned
TP1.7 drums 6 abandoned n 27 y2
piano 3 abandoned
TP1.8 - - - n 26 n
TP1.9 - - - y 26 n
TP1.10 - - - n 35 n

1 Tinnitus both sides, right side twice


2 Tinnitus left side

Table 6: Classifications of test participants (group 1)

Test person Musical Active years Time spent Listening to Age Hearing
instrument hours/week classical deficiency

TP2.1 guitar 6 0.25 n 21 n


TP2.2 - - - n 29 n
TP2.3 - - - n 27 n
TP2.4 - - - n 28 n
TP2.5 guitar 5 1 n 25 n
TP2.6 piano 20 2 y 52 n
TP2.7 traverse fl. 9 1 n 45 n
TP2.8 - - - n 56 n
TP2.9 piano 1 2 y 45 y3
guitar 15 1
violine 17 1
cello 4 1
TP2.10 guitar 14 5 n 27 n
bass guitar 8 abandoned

3 -5dB at 1kHz and 6 kHz left side

Table 7: Classifications of test participants (group 2)

Test person Musical Active years Time spent Listening to Age Hearing
instrument hours/week classical deficiency

TP3.1 piano 13 0.1 n 26 y4


TP3.2 - - - n 23 n
TP3.3 drums 30 3-4 n 45 n
piano n.a. n.a.
TP3.4 - - - y 58 n
TP3.5 - - - n 29 y5
TP3.6 trumpet 15 4 n 28 n
drums 6 abandoned
TP3.7 - - - n 27 n
TP3.8 vocals 19 3 y 28 n
piano 12 1
TP3.9 - - - n 22 n
TP3.10 cello 7 1 n 33 n
guitar 8 abandoned

4 Reduced hearing capability at high frequencies


5 Reduced hearing capability at low frequencies, both sides

Table 8: Classifications of test participants (group 3)

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Mores et al. Perceived Roughness

Test person Musical Active years Time spent Listening to Age Hearing
instrument hours/week classical deficiency

TP4.1 - - - n 27 n
TP4.2 guitar 15 0.1 y 26 n
piano 2 0.25
vocals 1 abandoned
TP4.3 guitar 25 abandoned y 50 n
vocals 30 2
TP4.4 - - - n 30 n
TP4.5 - - - n 27 y6
TP4.6 - - - n 33 n
TP4.7 piano 20 abandoned y 27 n
saxophone 10 3.5
vocals 15 1
TP4.8 vocals 2.5 3 n 25 y7
violine 8 abandoned
TP4.9 - - - n 28 n
TP4.10 guitar 13 2 n 29 n

6 Reduced hearing capability at high frequencies, left side


7 Tinnitus both sides

Table 9: Classifications of test participants (group 4)

Test person Musical Active years Time spent Listening to Age Hearing
instrument hours/week classical deficiency

TP5.1 - - - n 24 n
TP5.2 drums 16 1 n 27 n
TP5.3 organ 8 abandoned n 31 n
TP5.4 - - - n 28 n
TP5.5 Cello 24 0.015 n 30 n
piano 12 5
TP5.6 vocals 20 0.5 y 33 n
TP5.7 - - - n 27 n
TP5.8 piano 28 8 y 25 y8
vocals 24 5
guitar 20 5
trumpet 6 abandoned
TP5.9 - - - n 27 n
TP5.10 bass guitar 6 4 n 25 n

8 Deficiency left side

Table 10: Classifications of test participants (group 5)

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