Perceived Loudness

Perceived loudness is how we experience the intensity of a sound, which can vary based on factors like frequency and duration. Although two sounds may have the same physical volume level, our ears may perceive them differently—some sounds seem louder or softer depending on these characteristics. Our brain interprets loudness not only from the sound's amplitude (measured in decibels) but also by how our ears respond to different frequencies. This perception is influenced by individual hearing sensitivity, listening environment, and sound exposure history, making perceived loudness a subjective but scientifically studied aspect of sound perception.