PUBLICLY ISO/PAS

AVAILABLE 20065
SPECIFICATION
First edition
2016-0 7-01

Acoustics — Objective method for

assessing the audibility of tones in
noise — Engineering method
Acoustique — Méthode objective pour évaluer l’audibilité des tons
dans le bruit — Méthode d’expertise

Reference number
ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

© ISO 2016
ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Contents Page
Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ iv
1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
4 Measurement procedure.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
4.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Measurement instruments ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.3 Merging the basic spectra .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
5 Evaluation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.1 General information ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6
5 .2 fc of the critical band ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Width Δ

5.3 Determination of prominent tones ........................................................................................................................................ 7

5.3.1 General information ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.3.2 Determination of the mean narrow-band level LS of the masking noise ........................ 7
5.3.3 Determination of the tone level LT of a tone in a critical band ................................................ 8
5.3.4 Distinctness of a tone ................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.3.5 Determination of the critical band level, LG, of the masking noise .................................... 10
5.3.6 Masking index ................................................................................................................................................................. 10
5 .3 .7 D eterminatio n o f the audib ility, Δ L ............................................................................................................... 1 0
5 .3 .8 D eterminatio n o f the decis ive audib ility, Δ Lj, of a narrow-band spectrum ................ 10
5 .3 .9 D eterminatio n o f the mean audib ility Δ L of a number of spectra ...................................... 12
6 Calculation o f the uncertainty o f the audibility Δ L ........................................................................................................ 13
7 Recommendations on the presentation of results ......................................................................................................... 16
7.1 Measurement......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
7.2 Acoustic environment .................................................................................................................................................................... 16
7.3 Instruments for measurement, recording and evaluation ............................................................................. 16
7.4 Acoustic data.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Annex A (informative) Window effect and Picket fence effect................................................................................................ 17
Annex B (informative) Resolving power of the human ear at frequencies below 1 000 Hz
and geometric position of the critical bands — corner frequencies ........................................................... 20
Annex C (informative) Masking, masking threshold, masking index .............................................................................. 22
Annex D (informative) Iterative method for the determination o f the audibility, ∆L ..................................... 23
Annex E (informative) Example for the determination of the tonal audibility ..................................................... 27
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 33

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work o f preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters o f
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
di fferent types o f ISO documents should be noted. This document was dra fted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some o f the elements o f this document may be the subject o f
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identi fying any or all such patent rights. Details o f
any patent rights identified during the development o f the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is in formation given for the convenience o f users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning o f ISO specific terms and expressions related to con formity assessment,
as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 43, Acoustics, Subcommittee SC 1, Noise.

iv © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SPECIFICATION ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Acoustics — Objective method for assessing the audibility

of tones in noise — Engineering method
1 Scope
This Publicly Available Specification describes a method for the objective determination o f the audibility
of tones in environmental noise.
This Publicly Available Specification is intended to augment the usual method for evaluation on the
basis of aural impression, in particular, in cases in which there is no agreement on the degree of the
audibility o f tones. The method described can be used i f the frequency o f the tone being evaluated is
equal to, or greater than, 50 Hz. In other cases, i f the tone frequency is below 50 Hz, or i f other types o f
noise (such as screeching) are to be captured, then this method cannot replace subjective evaluation.
The method presented herein can be used in continuous measurement stations that work automatically.

2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively re ferenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated re ferences, only the edition cited applies. For undated
re ferences, the latest edition o f the re ferenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1996-1, Acoustics — Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise — Part 1: Basic
quantities and assessment procedures
IEC 61672-1, Electroacoustics  —  Sound  level  meters  —  Part  1:  Specifications
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes o f this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 1996-1 and the following apply.
3.1
tonality
presence of a tone in a noise, the level of which is below that of the remaining noise components in the
critical band (3.5) about the tone frequency (3.2 ) by less than the value o f the masking index (3.16), a v
3.2
tone frequency
fT
frequency o f the spectral line (3.23 ) (or mid-band frequency o f the narrow-band filter), to the level o f
which the tone contributes most strongly
3.3
tone level
LT
energy summation o f the narrow-band level (3.22) with the tone frequency (3.2), fT, and the lateral lines
about fT, assignable to this tone
Note 1 to entry: I f the critical band (3.5 ) for the frequency, fT, under consideration contains a number of tones,
then the tone level, LT, is the energy sum of these tones. This level, LT, is then assigned to the frequency of the
participating tone that has the maximal value of audibility (3.4), Δ L .
Note 2 to entry: The method for the determination o f the tone level, LT, of a tone in a critical band is described
in 5.3.3.

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

3.4
audibility
Δ L
difference between the tone level (3.3), LT, and the masking threshold (3.15), L T ′

N o te 1 to entr y: T he me tho d fo r the de ter m i n ation o f the decisive audibility (3.24 ), Δ Lj , of a narrow-band spectrum
(3.12) is described in 5.3.8.
3.5
critical band
fre quenc y b and with a (3.17 bandwidth ), ∆ fc , with i n wh ich the aud itor y s ys tem i nte grate s the s ound

i nten s ity in the formation o f loud ne s s and with i n wh ich it i ntegrate s the s ou nd i nten s ity in the

formation of the masking threshold (3.15)

N o te 1 to entr y: T h i s ch a rac teri s tic o f a c ritic a l b a nd (s e e a l s o Re ference s [ 3 4
] a nd [ ] ) ho ld s o n l y for a re s tr ic te d

sound level range. This dependence is neglected here.

3.6
mean narrow-band level of the critical band
LS
energ y me an va lue o f a l l narrow-band levels (3.22) in a critical band (3.5) that (as a rule) does not exceed
th i s me a n va lue by more th an 6 dB

N o te 1 to entr y: T he me tho d for the de ter m i n atio n o f the me a n n a r row- b a nd le vel LS of the masking noise is
described in 5.3.2 and Annex D (iterative method).
3.7
critical band level
LG
level of noise that is assigned to the critical band (3.5) that describes the masking characteristic of the
noise for one or more tones of the noise in this critical band
N o te 1 to entr y: S e e narrow-band level (3.22) and Annex C for masking.
N o te 2 to entr y: For the de fi n ition fo rmu l af L G , see Formula (12).
or

3.8
sampling frequency
fS
number of samples taken per second
N o te 1 to entr y: T he a n a lo gue d ata p rovide d co nti nuo u s l y a re co nver te d i nto s a mp le s th rough s a mp l i ng at

discrete time intervals for digital processing.

N o te 2 to entr y: To en s u re the rep ro duc ib i l ity o f a d i giti z e d s ign a l , the S h a n no n the orem re qu i re s that the

s a mp l i n g fre quenc y, f S , i s at le a s t 2 ti me s the h ighe s t fre quenc y o f the s ign a l comp o nents u s e d for e va lu ation

i n the ti me s ign a l [ fS ≥ 2 fN , see also aliasing (3.9), antialiasin g  filter (3.10) and useable frequency (3.20)]. The
a l gor ith m o f a Fa s t Fou r ier Tra n s for m a n a l ys i s (the va r i a nt o f a d i s c re te Fo u r ier Tra n s for m u s e d typ ic a l l y a nd

o p ti m i z e d for c a lc u l ation) on l y p er m its block lengths (3.11), N , th at co r re s p o nd to a p ower o f two . F F T a n a l yz ers

thu s ne e d a s a mp l i ng fre quenc y th at i s at le a s t 2 , 5 6 ti me s the m a xi mu m fre quenc y to b e a n a l ys e d .

3.9
aliasing
refle c tion i n the line spectrum (3.12 f f
) o re quenc y comp onents from the range ab ove the sampling
frequency (3.8 ) d ivide d b y two ( fS/2) in the range below fS/2
N o te 1 to entr y: Antialiasin g  filters (3.10 ) a re u s e d to avoid errors th rou gh s uch re fle c tion s .

N o te 2 to entr y: H a l f the s a mp l i ng fre quenc y ( f S /2 ) i s a l s o known a s the N yqu i s t fre quenc y.

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

3.10
a n t i a l i a s i n g fi l t e r

ideal filter that allow frequencies below hal f the sampling frequency (3.8 ) to pass through completely
l o w- p a s s fi l t e r

(without influencing the signal), but completely block all higher frequencies
Note 1 to entry: To prevent aliasing (3.9 ), the noise under investigation shall be filtered using an antialiasing
filter be fore analogue-to-digital conversion.
Note 2 to entry: Real aliasing filters have a final damping (generally 120 dB/octave) within the blocking range, i.e.
signal components in this transition range are reflected (damped). For example, in the trans formation o f 2 048
(2 k) data points, 1 024 frequency lines are calculated and 800 lines shown. A component in the line number
1 248 is folded back into the line number 800. With a low-pass filter o f 120 dB/octave the damping o f these
components is approximately 75 dB.
Note 3 to entry: The usual commercial FFT analyzers have an antialiasing filter, the limit frequency o f which
can be switched automatically with the selectable sampling frequency. The reflection o f simulated narrow-band
levels (3.22) is suppressed.
3.11
block length
N
block of sampling values that in discrete form represents a time-limited range of the time signal to be
analysed
Note 1 to entry: In contrast to frequency analysis with analogue and digital filters, the noise with the Fast Fourier
Trans form is processed in data blocks. In general, these blocks embrace only a part of the noise recording. The block
length, N, expresses the number of data points processed at the same time. Due to the nature of the Fast Fourier
Transform, the value of N has the integer of power of 2. It has a value, for example, of N = 2 10 = 1 024 data points.
3.12
line spectrum
narrow-band spectrum
frequency spectrum
plot of the sound pressure level (narrow-band level) (3.22 ) as a function of the frequency in frequency
bands of constant bandwidth (3.17) (line spacing, ∆ f) (3.13)
Note 1 to entry: A-weighting o f the level is assumed in this Publicly Available Specification.
Note 2 to entry: Frequency analysis delivers a line spectrum, in which each line represents the output o f a filter,
the mid- frequency o f which corresponds to the frequency o f the spectral line (3.23).
3.13
line spacing
frequency resolution
distance between neighbouring spectral lines (3.23 ), where the line spacing in the FFT is given by
∆f = fS / N

where
fS is the sampling frequency (3.8);
N is the block length (3.11).
Note 1 to entry: In this Publicly Available Specification, the line spacing is 1,9 Hz ≤ Δ f ≤ 4,0 Hz.

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

3.14
time window
time data set of the signal segment (block length) (3.11 ) th at i s mu ltipl ie d b y a weighti ng func tion
(window function)
N o te 1 to entr y: I n accorda nce with the de fi n ition o f the Fou r ier i nte gra l , a p rere qu i s ite o f the F F T a n a l ys i s i s th at

the time data set is periodic. If this is not the case (as with stochastic signals), cut-off effects at the edges of the
time window will lead to distortion of the spectrum. These distortions are avoided through weighting functions
such as the Hanning Function.
f f
N o te 2 to entr y: Fo r more i n o r m ation on wi ndow a nd weighti ng f f 5] and
u nc tion s , s e e , o r e xa mp le , Re erence [

Annex A.
3.15
masking threshold
LT ′

audibility (3.4 ) th re s hold for a s p e ci fic s ound i n the pre s ence o f a ma s ki ng s ou nd (mas ker)

N o te 1 to entr y: S e e Annex C f o r more i n for m atio n o n the aud ib i l ity th re s hold a nd the m a s ki n g no i s e .

3.16
masking index
av
difference between the masking threshold (3.15), LT
′ , and the critical band level (3.7), LG , of the
masking noise
N o te 1 to entr y: For fre quenc y- dep endent m a s ki ng i nde x, av , masking and masking noise, see Annex C.
3.17
bandwidth
fre quenc y b a ndwidth

fre quenc y range o f a nu mb er o f neighb ou ri ng spectral lines (3.23)

N o te 1 to entr y: I f the width o f a fre quenc y b a nd i s c a lc u l ate d for wh ich its b e gi n n i n g or end do e s no t cor re s p ond

to the b o u nd a r y b e twe en two s p e c tra l l i ne s , then on l y the s p e c tra l l i ne s th at l ie i n thei r fu l l width with i n the

c a lc u l ate d fre quenc y ra nge a re a s s igne d to the fre quenc y b a nd .

3.18
distinctness
clarity

ratio of the conspicuousness of a tone based on a bandpass noise to the conspicuousness of a sinusoidal
tone of the same tone frequency (3.2), fT, and same tone level (3.3), LT
3.19
edge steepness
ratio of the level difference between the maximum narrow-band level (3.22) of a tone, LTmax, and the
na rrow-b and level s o f the fi rs t l i ne b elow/ab ove the tone to the corre s p ond i ng fre quenc y d i fference

3.20
useable frequency
fN
upp er l i m it fre quenc y o f the s igna l comp onents u s e d for eva luation

3.21
investigation range
range within which tones are investigated in the line spectrum (3.12)
3.22
narrow-band level
averaged level within a spectral line (3.23)

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

3.23
spectral line
frequency band o f bandwidth (3.17 ), ∆ f (line spacing) (3.13), in a line spectrum (3.12)

3.24
decisive audibility
Δ Lj
maximum audibility (3.4), ∆ L , in the individual spectrum, j
4 Measurement procedure
4.1 General
The measurement procedure will depend on the aims. The requirements for the measurement and
assessment procedure in terms of the choice of measurement point, measurement time and duration of
measurement, extraneous noise, etc. shall be satisfied.
The variable for determination o f audibility o f prominent tones is the sound pressure p (t). For frequency
analysis, the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level, L Aeq , as given in ISO 1996-1, is to
be established for the respective spectral lines. If the spectrum is unweighted (linear), then it shall be
corrected to A-weighting in accordance with IEC 61672-1.
4.2 Measurement instruments
Sound level meters that meet, or exceed, the requirements of Class 1 in IEC 61672-1 shall be used. These
have a frequency weighting “A”/“LIN” or “A”/“Z” with a lower limit frequency equal to, or below, 20 Hz.
Additional instruments such as recording instruments (digital or magnetic tape) may also be used. The
measured values derived through recording instruments shall lie within the tolerance range given in
IEC 61672-1.
Analysis o f frequency components in the measurement signals is per formed using a frequency
analyzer. The constant line spacing, Δ f, shall lie in the range 1,9 Hz to 4 Hz (inclusive). The use of the
Hanning window is mandatory in this Publicly Available Specification. For further processing, it shall
be ensured that the digitalization o f the sound pressure signal across the entire dynamic range used
has a resolution of at least 0,1 dB.
Before it is processed further, the analogue measurement signal shall be passed through a steep low-
pass filter (antialiasing filter) to avoid errors in frequency analysis. The sampling frequency (see 3.8)
shall be at least two times the maximum usable frequency present (see 3.20). The Hanning window is to
be used as time window to reduce lateral bands (see 3.14).
4.3 Merging the basic spectra
The spectra for the prominent tone assessment shall have an averaging time o f approximately 3 s. Due
to the line spacing of 1,9 Hz to 4 Hz (see 4.2 ) and the typical frequency range, f, of a few kHz, the basic
spectra given by the frequency analyzer will have an averaging time below 1 s. To get the averaging
time o f approximately 3 s, a number o f basic spectra shall be merged. This shall be done line by line
with Formula (1):

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

1 N 0 , 1 Li 
Li = 10 lg  ∑ j =1 10 j / dB
 dB (1)
N
,


where
L i, j is the level of the th spectral line for the th spectrum;
i j

N is the number of merged spectra.

5 Evaluation
5.1 General information
The aim o f evaluation is to establish the audibility, Δ L . The procedure is the same for stationary and
non-stationary noises. For tones that can only just be perceived, a quaver (eighth note) is to be adopted
as a base time that is adequate for hearing. However, comprehensive studies have shown that the lower
limit for use o f the procedure is reached at averaging times o f approximately 3 s. Lower averaging times
lead to unjustified values o f audibility, Δ L (too high, but also too low). Signals that have a very high
level dynamic and/or frequency dynamic that no longer correspond with a 3-second averaging can,
there fore, not be evaluated using this Publicly Available Specification. The following conditions shall be
satisfied for the measurements.
— The extended uncertainty, U, o f the audibility, Δ L , with a coverage probability o f 90 % in a bilateral
confidence interval (see Clause 6 ) shall not exceed ±1,5 dB. This is generally the case with evaluation
of at least 12 time-staggered narrow-band averaged spectra. If there are less than 12 averaged
spectra then the uncertainty shall be taken into consideration as given in Clause 6.
— Where there are alternating operating states, all o f the operating states shall be covered by the
averaging spectra used (see Annex E).
Tonal components in di fferent critical bands are evaluated separately. To arrive at a decision on whether
a tonal audibility has to be made, only the most pronounced tone is considered. I f a number o f tones are
present within a critical band, then an energy summation o f their tone levels, LT , is carried out to yield
a tone level, LT (see 5.3.8).
i

A tonal audibility is per formed for a tone only i f its distinctness (see 3.18 ) is at least 70 %. This means
a maximal bandwidth, Δ fR, dependent on the tone frequency [see Formula (9)] and necessitates edge
steepness (see 3.19) of at least 24 dB/octave.
NOTE 1 For the distinctness of a tone, see 5.3.4.
NOTE 2 Harmonic multiples o f a tone are evaluated, independently o f that tone, similarly to all other
components of the spectrum.
A sample program to determine audibility can be downloaded from http://standards.iso.org/iso/20065

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

5 . 2 Wi d th Δ fc of the critical band

The width Δ fc o f the critical band about the tone frequency fT is given by Formula (2):
0 , 69
  f / Hz  
2
∆fc = 25 ,0 Hz + 75 ,0  1 ,0 + 1 , 4  T  Hz (2)
  1 000  

Assuming a geometric position of the corner frequencies of the critical band (see Annex B), these corner
frequencies, f1 and f2 , are derived as follows:
fT = f1 × f2 (3)

f1 =
−∆fc
+
( ∆f )
c
2
+ 4 fT 2
(4)
2 2

f2 = f1 + ∆fc (5)

5.3 Determination of prominent tones

5.3.1 General information
The audibility o f a tone is determined using the tone level, LT, and the critical band level, L G , of the
masking noise in the critical band about the tone frequency, fT. The frequency o f all maxima o f the
spectrum is considered as the tone frequency.
The use of the Hanning window is recommended in Annex A. With window functions (except for
rectangular windows), the e ffective analysis bandwidth, Δ fe , is greater than the bandwidth, Δ f, of an
ideal filter (see 3.13), i.e. the individual bands are thus superimposed. In the summation process, the
energy components are counted a number o f times (see Annex A for more information).
In a frequency analyzer, this influence o f summation (number o f lines >1) is taken into consideration
through a correction value; i f the level addition is simulated by the analyzer program, then this
correction value has to be considered in the computing program, both in the formation of the tone level
[see Formula (8) ] and in the calculation o f the masking noise [see Formula (12)].

5.3.2 Determination of the mean narrow-band level LS of the masking noise

The mean narrow-band level, LS , [see Formula (6)] is derived in an iterative procedure from the lines
o f the critical band about the line under investigation. The procedure commences with the energy
averaging of all lines of the critical band with the exception of the line under investigation itself. In the
subsequent steps, the levels of the lines of the critical band under consideration are no longer taken
into consideration in the averaging procedure i f their level exceeds the energy mean value determined
be forehand by more than 6 dB. The iterative procedure is discontinued, i f in an iteration step, the new
energy mean value is equal within a tolerance o f ±0,005 dB to that o f the previous iteration step or i f
the number of lines contributing to the mean narrow-band level to the right or left of the line under
investigation falls below a value o f 5. In this case, the energy mean value from the last iteration step, at
which the number o f energy averaged levels on both sides o f the line under investigation in each case
was still at least 5 is used to form the mean narrow-band level.
For determination of the mean narrow-band level, the entire critical band about the line under
investigation is used. Consequently, the range under investigation (see 3.21) is limited relative to the
useable frequency fN such that the upper limit of the uppermost critical band being considered does not
exceed the useable frequency fN. A corresponding condition also applies in principle for the lower limit
o f the lowest critical band considered. Since the use o f this Publicly Available Specification is restricted

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

to tone fre quencie s gre ater th an or e qua l to 5 0 H z and the u s ua l ana lyz ers generate l i ne s p e c tra s tar ti ng

at 0 H z , it i s no t genera l ly ne ce s s a r y to ta ke a ny s p e ci a l pre c aution s .

The mean narrow-band level L S i s given by Formula (6):

 1   ∆f 
LS =  10 lg 

?

M
∑= M
i 1
10
0 , 1 L i dB
/

 + 10 lg 
  ∆fe
?   dB


(6)
where
Li is the narrow-band level of the th spectral line, in decibels (dB);
i

M is the number of spectral lines to be averaged in the critical band;

Δf is the line spacing, in Hertz (Hz) (see 3.13);
Δf e i s the e ffe c tive b a ndwidth i n H z; i f a H an n i ng wi ndow i s u s e d then the e ffe c tive b andwidth , Δ f e,
i s 1 , 5 ti me s the fre quenc y (see Annex A).
re s olution ( l i ne s p aci ng) , Δ f

If the spectrum is unweighted (linear), then it shall be A-weighted in accordance within IEC 61672-1.
NOTE 1 If the iteration is discontinued, because the remaining number of spectral lines to be averaged on one
f
or b o th s ide s a l l s b elow 5 , then the aud ib i l ity m ay b e s omewh at gre ater th a n the aud ib i l ity c a lc u l ate d with th i s

mean narrow-band level.

NOTE 2 The iteration procedure is described in Annex D.
NO TE 3 Us i n g a d igita l c a lc u l ation pro gra m , the e qu a l co nd ition i n the iteration pro ce du re i s typ ic a l l y gi ven

b y the re s o lutio n o f the nu mb er for m at ( h igh re s o lution s hou ld b e u s e d) .

5.3.3 Determination of the tone level LT of a tone in a critical band

The tone level T is determined from the individual levels of the spectral lines in the critical band about
L

fT f f
that contai n energ y to b e a s s igne d to the tone . I n pri nc iple, a tone may on ly b e pre s ent i the level o

the spectral line considered is at least 6 dB greater than the corresponding mean narrow-band level S . L

In general, a number of spectral lines have to be taken into consideration, since, for instance, because
of the Picket fence effect (see Annex A f ) , or ac tua l s ma l l re quenc y fluc tuation s duri ng data c ap ture, the

tone energ y i s repre s ente d th rough the level s o f a nu mb er o f s p e c tra l l i ne s .

Neighbouring spectral lines should be used for summation purposes if

— they d i ffer from the narrow-b a nd level at a fre quenc y, T
f , b y le s s tha n 10 dB , a nd

— they d i ffer from the me a n na rrow-b a nd level, L S , of the masking noise within the critical band about
the tone b y more tha n 6 d B .

In case = 1: K

L T = LT (7)
In case K > 1:

  + 10 lg  ∆f 
=  10 lg  ∑ = 10 (8)
K 0 , 1 L i / dB
LT    dB
  i 1   ∆fe 
 

8 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

where
Li is the narrow-band level of the i th s p e c tra l l i ne o f th i s c ritica l b and with tone energ y, i n

decibels (dB);
K i s the nu mb er o f s p e c tra l l i ne s with tone energ y;

Δf is the line spacing, in Hertz (Hz) (see 3.13);

Δf e is the effective bandwidth, in Hertz (Hz) (see 5.3.2).
NO TE T he i nd ividu a l le vel s o f the s p e c tra l l i ne s with tone energ y [s e e Formula (8) ] a l s o co nta i n energ y

co mp onents o f the m a s ki n g noi s e . T he s e c a n genera l l y b e ne gle c te d .

5.3.4 Distinctness of a tone

The distinctness of a tone depends on the bandwidth of the tone and its edge steepness; if the
corre s p ond i ng criteri a are no t s ati s fie d then the tone i s no t aud ible to i nd ividua l s with norma l he a ri ng.

I f a tone b a s e d on b a ndp as s noi s e h as a d i s ti nc tne s s o f 70 % relative to th at o f a s i nu s oida l tone then

the ma xi mu m p erm itte d b andwidth Δ f R as a fu nc tion o f the tone fre quenc y T is

f approximated (see
Figure 1 i n Re ference [ 8 ] ) by

∆fR = 26 , 0 ( 1 , 0 Hz + 0 , 001 fT ) (9)

T he b andwidth o f f
a tone with a T is derived from the number of spectral lines
re quenc y f K [s e e

Formula (8) .
] , mu ltipl ie d b y the l i ne s p aci ng , Δ f

First criterion: The bandwidth of the tone shall not exceed the maximum permitted bandwidth given
by Formula (9).
Second criterion: The edge steepness shall be at least 24 dB/octave.
ff
T h i s yield s the level d i f Tmax, and the
erence s b e twe en the ma xi mu m na rrow-b and level o the tone, L

f
na rrow-b a nd level s o u/above the tone o as follows:
the fi rs t s p e c tra l l i ne b elow the tone L L

ff
T he lower level d i uerence Δ L Formula (10):
i s given b y

fT L Tmax − L u
∆L u =
2 fT − fu
≥ 24 dB (10)
where
fu i s the fre quenc y o f the fi rs t s p e c tra l l i ne b elow the tone, i n H er tz (H z) ;

fT i s the fre quenc y o f the ma xi mu m narrow-b and level , i n H er tz (H z) .

T he upp er level d i fference Δ L o i s given b y Formula (11):

L − Lo
∆L o = fT Tmax
fo − fT
≥ 24 dB (11)
where
fo i s the fre quenc y o f the fi rs t s p e c tra l l i ne ab ove the tone, i n H er tz (H z) ;

fT i s the fre quenc y o f the ma xi mu m narrow-b and level , i n H er tz (H z) .

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

5.3.5 Determination of the critical band level, LG, of the masking noise
The level L G i s given b y Formula (12):
  ∆f  
LG = LS +  10 lg  c   dB (12)
  ∆f  
where
L S is the mean narrow-band level, see 5.3.2;
Δf c i s the width o f the critic a l b and ab out the tone fre quenc y, fT, in Hertz (Hz) (see 5.2);
Δf i s the l i ne s p ac i ng (fre quenc y re s olution) , i n H er tz (H z) .

5.3.6 Masking index

The masking index, v
a , i s given b y Formula (13):
   f / Hz  2 ,5  
a v =  −2 − lg  1 +     dB (13)
 
  502   
where
f i s the fre quenc y, i n Her tz (H z) .

NOTE For information on the masking index, v, see Annex C. a

5.3.7 Determination o f the audibility, Δ L

T he aud ibi l ity Δ Lbetween the tone level T (see 5.3.3) and the level of the masking threshold (see 3.15)
L

i s given b y Formula (14):

∆L = ( L T − L G − a v ) (14)
where
L T is the tone level, in decibels (dB) (see 5.3.3);
L G is the masking noise, in decibels (dB) (see 5.3.5);
a v is the masking index, in decibels (dB) (see 5.3.6).
NOTE Formula (14) hold s cor re s p o nd i ngl y i f a l l the p a ra me ters o f th at fo rmu l a a re gi ven .

5.3.8 Determination o f the decisive audibility, Δ L j, of a narrow-band spectrum

of a noise a number of narrow-band spectra (see Annex D), staggered in
To de term i ne the aud ibi l ity Δ L

time, of the noise with the same line width and same number of lines are used. The measurement time
f of an individual spectrum
or s uch a s p e c tr um s hou ld b e approxi mately 3 s . T he de c i s ive aud ibi l ity Δ L j

f
i s de term i ne d i n the f ol lowi ng is not given.
ou r s tep s . For s i mpl i fic ation pu rp o s e s the ru n i nde x j

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Step 1
Each spectral line, , is investigated in ascending sequence to establish whether it represents a potential
i

tone. A narrow-band level is a potential tone i f the following conditions are satisfied:
Li > L +1 and L > L −1
i i i (15)
and
Li > LS i + 6 dB (16)
NOTE 1 Mean narrow-band level, S , see 5.3.2. L i

Step 2
The tone levels, T , (see 5.3.3) of all the potential tones (run index across all potential tones) is
L k

determined. The masking noises, G (see 5.3.5), and the masking index, v (see 5.3.6), are determined
k

L a

for the tone levels at which the condition of distinctness of a tone (see 5.3.4) is satisfied. These
k k

parameters are used to calculate the corresponding audibilities, Δ [see 5.3.7, Formula (14)]. Lk

I f Δ L > 0, then a tone is present.

k

Step 3
Critical bands with the width Δ fc are formed about each of these audible tones, T (run index across L m

.
m m

all audible tones) o f frequency fT m

If a number of tones are present in a critical band, then their tone levels, T (run index across all L n

tones in the critical band; is the number) are summed in terms of energy.
m,n

  
L Tm =  10 lg  ∑ n =1 10
H 0 , 1 L Tm , n / dB
  dB (17)
  
where
H is the total number of all tones in the critical band;
LT is the tone level with the run index across all audible tones and the run index across all
m n

tones in the critical band, in decibels (dB).

m,n

It is possible for the energy o f individual spectral lines to be assigned to a number o f neighbouring tones
at the same time. Upon addition o f the tone levels o f neighbouring tones, the energy o f these individual
spectral lines may not be summed more than once.
The tone frequency, fT , is the frequency o f the most pronounced tone, i.e. the tone with the greatest
audibility, Δ L , .
m

m n

The mean narrow-band level of the masking noise is that mean narrow-band level that was calculated in
the iterative procedure in 5.3.2 [see Formula (6) ] from the lines about the tone with this tone frequency.
The level of the masking noise is the critical band level, G , calculated with this mean narrow-band
L

level in accordance with 5.3.5.

m,n

This tone level, T , is used to recalculate the decisive audibility, Δ (see Step 2).
L m Lk

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

I f e xac tly 2 tone s with tone fre quencie s , f T1 and fT2 , app e a r i n one critic a l b and , then they a re eva luate d

s ep a rately i f b o th tone fre quencie s l ie b elow 1 0 0 0 H z and the fre quenc y d i fference, f D.
f
D = f
T1 − f
T2 (18)
where
f T1 , fT2 < 1 000 Hz.
Formula (18) exceeds the following value (see Annex B):
1 ,8
  f / Hz  
1 , 2  lg  T 
  212  
f
D
= 21 × 10   Hz (19)
where
50 Hz < T < 1 000 Hz; f

f T i s the fre quenc y o f the more pronou nce d tone (the tone with the gre ater aud ibi l ity, Δ L k ).
NO TE 2 I f p re c i s el y 2 tone s a re p re s ent i n a c r itic a l b a nd b elow 1 0 0 0 H z , then the hu m a n e a r c a n d i s ti n gu i s h

d i fference s le s s th a n h a l f the c r itic a l b a ndwidth (s e e Re ference [ 6] and Annex B).

Step 4
T he aud ibi l ity with the ma xi mu m va lue, Δ L k, i s the de c i s ive aud ibi l ity, Δ L j , of the individual spectrum.
5.3.9 Determination o f the mean audibility Δ L of a number of spectra
As given in 5.3.8 , the de ci s ive aud ibi l ity Δ L j is calculated for each narrow-band averaged spectrum (run
index , is the number). These
j J :
J aud ibi l itie s , Δ L j, a re average d i n energ y term s to yield a Δ L

1 
∆L = 10 lg 
J
?

∑ J
j =1
10
0 , 1 ∆L j dB
/

 dB

(20)
where
Δ Lj i s the de ci s ive aud ibi l ity, i n de c ib el s (d B) ;

j is the run index;

J is the number of spectra.
The tone frequencies are the frequencies of the tones to which the audibilities are assigned. To ensure
f f
a s u fic ient d i s ta nce , for all spectra in which no tone is found, the
rom the p o s itive aud ibi l itie s , Δ L j

f f :
ol lowi ng va lue i s u s e d or Δ L j

Δ L j = −10 d B (2 1)

No tone fre quencie s are s tate d for th i s Δ L j.

NO TE (and not the tone levels, T
T he aud ib i l itie s , Δ L j L j) , a re average d i n energ y ter m s s i nce the tone s i n the

individual spectra have different tone frequencies, and thus, different masking index, v a [s e e Formula (13)] and
Formula (12)] have to be calculated.
m a s ki ng noi s e s [s e e

12 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

6 C a l c u l a ti o n o f
th e u n c e r ta i n ty o f
th e a u d i b i l i ty Δ L
The mean audibility, Δ L ,
between the tone level and the level of the masking threshold of a noise is
calculated using Formula (20) from the decisive audibilities, Δ , of the individual narrow-band spectra Lj

(see 5.3.8 and 5.3.9):

1 
∆L = 10 lg 
J
∑ = 10 J
j 1
0 , 1 ∆L j / dB
 dB

ΔL j is calculated through the use of Formula (14) and Formula (12):
 ∆fc j 
∆L j = L T , j − LS , j − 10 lg   dB − a v , j
 ∆f 
 
with the expressions of
Formula (8):
  + 10 lg  ∆f 
=  10 lg  ∑= K 0 , 1 L i / dB
LT 10    dB
  i 1   ∆fe 
 
Formula (6):
 1   ∆f 
LS =  10 lg 
 M
?

∑ = 10 M
i 1
0 , 1 L i dB /

 + 10 lg 
  ∆fe
?   dB


Formula (13):
  f / Hz   
2 ,5
av =  −2 − lg  1 +     dB
   502   
NOTE All frequencies are expressed in Hertz.
 ∆fc j 
A normal distribution within the level zone is to be assumed for the term 10 lg  .

 ∆f 
No uncertainty is assumed for the masking index, a v.
The LT, values are derived through summation and the L S, values through averaging of intensities. It
j j

is there fore necessary to assume a normal distribution o f these values within the intensity range. To
simpli fy the procedure, however, a normal distribution within the sound level range is assumed for
all summands. Since, for the consideration o f uncertainty, it is o f interest to know the probability o f
determining a tonal audibility that is too low, and for the upper limit o f the confidence interval the
consideration in the level zone yields greater uncertainties than a corresponding consideration in the
intensity zone, the agreement can be regarded as a sa fe estimation.
A number o f sound sources act on the emission point and may be regarded as incoherent. Their emitted
output levels are uncorrelated in their statistical behaviour. The uncertainty consideration o f LT and
L S is based only on the uncertainty o f the level o f the spectral lines involved. The question as to which

spectral lines contribute to LT/LS is neglected in the consideration of uncertainty herein.

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

T he s e a s s u mp tion s a re u s e d to de term i ne the u ncer tai nty o f the aud ibi l ity, Δ Lj, using the Gaussian
uncer ta i nty prop agation pri nciple:

2 2 2
     δ ∆L 
K  δ ∆L j M  δ ∆L j
σ ∆L
j
2
= ∑ i =1  δ L
σL
 T j ,i T j ,i
 +
 ∑ i =1  δ L
σL
 S j ,i S j ,i
 + j
  δ∆f σ ∆fc j

 (22)
     cj 
The three expressions above are determined in Formula (23) to Formula (25):
First expression:
0 , 1 LT / dB
δ ∆L j 10 j ,i
σL = σL
δ LT T j ,i K 0 , 1 LT / dB T j ,i
j ,i
∑= i 1
10 j ,i

2
 0 , 1 LT j ,i 
K  

 δ ∆L
2

∑  10 dB σ L
i =1  T j ,i
�


 
∑ K 
i =1  δ L
j
σL
 T j ,i T j ,i
 =



0 , 1 LT 
2
 (23)
   K j ,i

 ∑
 i =1
10 dB 

 
 
where K is the number of all tone-containing narrow-band levels that result in the tone level, LT, in
accordance with 5.3.3 and 5.3.8.
If, in accordance with 5.3.8 Step 3, a number (N) of tone levels are summated then the sum of all tone-
containing narrow-band levels in the affected critical band is to be used for K.
Second expression:
0 , 1 LS / dB
δ ∆L j 10 j ,i
σL = σL
δ LS S j ,i M 0 , 1 LS / dB S j ,i
j ,i
∑= i 1
10 j ,i

2
M  0 , 1 LS j ,i / dB 
 δ ∆L
2
 ∑  10
i =1 
σL 

∑  S j ,i
M  j
σL  =  (24)
i =1  δ L 
 S j ,i S j ,i  M 0 , 1 LS j ,i / dB 
2
   ∑
 i =1

10 


M is the number of narrow-band levels that contribute to the formation of the mean narrow-band level
in the critical band in question.
Third expression:
δ ∆L j
σ ∆f =
4 , 34 dB
σ ∆f (25)
δ∆fc c j ∆fc cj
j j
T he u ncer tai nty o f the c ritic a l b andwidth Δ fc ma xi ma l ly corre s p ond s to the l i ne s p aci ng Δ f. No
u ncer ta i nty i s a s s u me d for th i s l i ne s p aci ng. I t fol lows from th i s th at

14 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

σ ∆ f = ∆f
cj

δ ∆L j ∆f
δ∆fc j
σ ∆fc = 4 ,34
j ∆fc j
dB (26)
A uniform value of σ L , j = 3 dB i s a s s u me d for the u ncer tai nty o f a l l na rrow-b and level s . Formula (23) to
Formula (25) c an b e u s ed to c a lc u l ate the u ncer tai nty, σ ∆L j , o f the aud ibi l ity. Δ L j :
  0 , 1 LT j ,i dB 
2
 0 , 1 LS j , i dB 
2 
 K M 
∑  10  ∑  10 
/ /

2
 i =1   i =1     
σ ∆L =    +    σ 2 +  4 , 34 ∆f dB  (27)
j 2 2  L j  ∆fc
?


  K 0 , 1 LT dB   M 0 , 1 LS dB    
∑ = 10 ∑ = 10
j
    
j ,i
/

j ,i
/

i 1   i 1  
    
T he u ncer ta i nty o f the me an aud ibi l ity, Δ L , i s given b y Formula (28):
0 , 1 ∆L n / dB
δ ∆L 10
σ = σ ∆L
δ ∆ L n ∆L n I 0 , 1 ∆L j / dB
∑ = 10
n

j 1
2
 0 , 1 ∆L j / dB 
  ∑ Ij =1 10 
σ ∆L =   (28)
I 0 , 1 ∆L j / dB
∑ = 10 j 1
For σ ∆L j see Formula (27).
Iis the number of narrow-band spectra.
T he ex tende d u ncer tai nty i s:

U o , Uu = kσ ΔL (29)
The coverage factor, k, fo r a 9 0 % co verage p ro b ab i l i t y i n a b i l atera l co n fidence i nte r va l h a s a va lue

of 1,645.
T he e xp erience a l s o shows th at with fluc tuati ng noi s e, one ach ieve s an e xtende d u ncer ta i nty, U , of the
aud ibi l ity, Δ L , of about ±1,5 dB with 12 averages.
NO TE To en s u re the ab ove -mentio ne d u ncer ta i nty, it i s ne ce s s a r y to h ave a m i n i mu m nu mb er o f s p e c tra

with a n averagi ng ti me o f app roxi m atel y 3 s . T he nu mb er o f s p e c tra ne ce s s a r y to ach ie ve the ab o ve -mentione d

u ncer ta i nty wi l l dep end o n the va r i ab i l ity o f the noi s e s . I nve s tigatio n s h ave s hown th at e ven with s tron gl y

fluc tu ati n g no i s e s (e . g. wi nd tu rbi ne s) , the nu mb er o f s p e c tra ne ce s s a r y do e s no t genera l l y e xce e d 1 2 .

© ISO 2016 – All rights reserved 15

ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

7 Recommendations on the presentation of results

7.1 Measurement
a) Date and place of measurement.
7.2 Acoustic environment
a) Description of the measurement environment with the position of the source and the measurement
point, a sketch o f the surrounding area, including a physical description o f the measurement
environment.
b) Air temperature in degrees Celsius, air pressure in Pascal and relative air humidity.
c) Mean wind speed and direction.
d) Any special in formation, e.g. dominant sources, fluctuating sources.

7.3 Instruments for measurement, recording and evaluation

a) The manufacturer.
b) Designation/model.
c) Serial number.
7.4 Acoustic data
a) Line spacing (see 3.13).
b) Range investigated (see 3.21).
c) For noise spectra for which a decisive audibility, Δ L > 0, was calculated, the tone frequencies, fT ,
o f all tones and the corresponding audibilities, Δ L (see 5.3.8).
j j, k

j, k

d) For the averaged noise spectrum

1) the mean audibility, Δ (see 5.3.9), and
L

2) i f less than 12 spectra have been averaged, the extended uncertainty (see Clause 6).
e) A diagrammatic representation o f the narrow-band levels across the frequency o f the 3-second
averaged spectrum with the greatest Δ L .

16 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Annex A
(informative)
Window effect and Picket fence effect

In the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), the noise is determined in data blocks of block length N of the time
window. N corresponds to the number of sampling values, e.g. 2 10 = 1 024. [5]
In accordance with the definition o f the Fourier integral, a pre-requirement o f the FFT analysis is that
the time data set is periodic. An unchanged further processing of the data points, as with the use of the
rectangular time window, will only lead to correct results with transient signals and signals that fit
exactly in the time window with a whole number o f full periods. With stochastic noises, it can lead to
severe distortions of the spectrum as the signal is cut off at the edges of the time window. To counter this
“smearing” o f the frequency lines (leakage e ffect), the signal is multiplied by a weighting function that
sets the amplitude values to zero at the limits of the time window and thus overcomes discontinuities in
the signal course within the window. The weighting functions, w(t), are as follows:
— for the rectangular window: w(t) = 1 for 0 ≤ t < T and w(t) = 0 for all other values o f t;
— for the Hanning window: w(t) = 1 − cos(2πt/T) for 0 ≤ t < T and w(t) = 0 for all other values o f t.
NOTE T corresponds to the width of the time window.
The use o f the Hanning window is mandatory in this annex. Depending on the window function
chosen (weighting function), the bands o f the individual filters are superimposed to varying degrees
corresponding to the edge steepness; the resultant so-called “e ffective bandwidth”, Δ fe , with the
Hanning window is 1,5 times the frequency resolution, Δ f. This means that each frequency band
always has energy components o f the neighbouring bands (where present). Power components
are therefore counted more than once in the summation process. Because of the leakage effect (see
above) for determination o f the level with the Hanning window, it is necessary to add at least three
lines. These influences are taken into consideration through a correction value in the summation
process (number o f lines > 1) in the frequency analyzer. With the Hanning window, this value is
10 lg (1/1,5) dB = −1,76 dB. I f the level addition is simulated in a program, then this correction value has
to be taken into consideration in the computing program — both in the derivation of the tone level and
in the calculation of the masking noise.
I f a noise is analysed with discrete filters, then it is as i f viewed through a lattice fence, hence the
expression “picket fence e ffect”. The analysis o f individual tones provokes di fferent amplitude and
frequency errors (see Figure A.1 ), depending on the correspondence o f the analysis frequency o f the FFT
spectrum with the frequency o f the individual tone. With the Hanning window, this amplitude error,
Δ L , lies between 0 dB (i f both frequencies correspond exactly) and 1,42 dB, i f the analysis frequency
falls exactly between two lines. As the two following examples show, this error is corrected through
summation over a number of lines and subsequent Hanning correction of the errors.
Exception: I f all lateral bands are discarded because o f the low di fference to the mean and only a tone
containing narrow-band level o f frequency, fT, forms the tone level, LT, then no Hanning correction is
carried out.
EXAMPLE 1 The analysis frequency corresponds to the tone frequency.
As shown in Figure A.1 a), left, the di fference Δ between the maximum level and the lateral level is 6 dB,
and the di fference Δ L between the (measured) original level o f the tone frequency and the analyzer
value is 0 dB; the following values result.

© ISO 2016 – All rights reserved 17

ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Level o f the tone frequency (original and analyzer value): 80 dB

The level o f the two lateral lines in the analyzer (80 dB − 6 dB): 74 dB
Level sum without correction: 81,77 dB
Hanning correction, 10 lg (1/1,5): −1,76 dB
The result o f the level sum with correction corresponds to the level o f the tone frequency.
EXAMPLE 2 The tone frequency lies exactly mid-way between two analysis frequencies.
As shown in Figure A.1 b), middle, the maximum level is divided into two lateral levels with a difference
Δ = 0 dB. The di fference Δ L between the (measured) original level o f the tone frequency and the analyzer
value is 1,42 dB. The following values result.
Original level o f the tone frequency distributed over four lateral lines: 80 dB
O f which the two highest (80 dB − 1,42 dB): 78,58
Level sum of the two lateral lines without correction: 81,59 dB
Hanning correction, 10 lg (1/1,5): −1,76 dB
The result o f the level sum with correction corresponds approximately to the level o f the tone frequency.
Figure A.1 is derived from Reference [5] and a brief explanation is given below.
Figure A.1 a) shows three different cases (from left to right):
— the analysis frequency corresponds to the tone frequency;
— the tone frequency (indicated by the dashed line) lies midway between two analysis frequencies;
— the tone frequency (indicated by the dashed line) lies displaced towards the analysis frequency.
The designation B is identical to the line spacing, Δ f (see 3.13 ), of this Publicly Available Specification.
In Figure A.1 a), Δ f represents the di fference between the tone frequency and the analysis frequency:
a) in the first case: Δ f = 0;
b) in the second case: Δ f = 0,5 × B;
c) in the third case: 0 < Δ f < 0,5 × B.

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

a)

b)
Key
B line spacing, in Hertz (Hz)
Δ difference, in decibels (dB)
Δ L di fference b etween the real narrow- b and level with the to ne frequency, fT , and the level of the direct lateral band
with the greater of the two levels, in decibels (dB)
Δ f di fference b etween the to ne frequency and the analys is frequency, in H ertz (H z)

Figure A.1 — Frequency correction and level correction for the Picket fence effect using the
Hanning window

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Annex B
(informative)
Resolving power of the human ear at frequencies below 1 000 Hz
and geometric position of the critical bands — corner frequencies

At a frequency below 1 000 Hz, i f there are several tones in a critical band, the human ear is able to
distinguish between differences in the tone frequencies that are lower than the half width of the critical
band. I f the critical band has two or more tones, then the ear can detect di fferences as shown by the
points or dashed lines in Figure B.1.

Key
— critical bandwidth as a function o f frequency[4]
··· noise that comprises two tones
--- noise that comprises more than two tones in the critical band under consideration
f requency, in Hertz (Hz)
f

fD frequency di fference, in Hertz (Hz)

Figure B.1 — Frequency differences between the tones of complex noises that the human ear
can still resolve[6]

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Two tones of tone frequencies, fT1 and fT2 , are evaluated separately i f both tone frequencies lie below
1 000 Hz and the frequency di fference, fD :
fD = fT 1 − fT 2 (B.1)
where
,
fT1 fT2 < 1 000 Hz.
Formula (B.1) exceeds the following value:
1 ,8
  f / Hz  
1 , 2  lg  T 
  212  
fD = 21 × 10   Hz (B.2)
where
50 Hz < fT < 1 000 Hz;
fT is the frequency o f the more pronounced tone, in Hertz (Hz).
In this Publicly Available Specification, the critical band is modelled as an ideal rectangular filter
with a mid- frequency, fT (tone frequency), the lower corner frequency, f1 , and the upper corner
frequency, f2 , with these two corner frequencies having a geometric position to the tone frequency [see
Re ferences [1],[2]; all frequencies in Hertz (Hz)].
fT = f1 f2 (B.3)
f2 − f1 = ∆fc (B.4)
With the quadratic supplement, it follows from Formula (B.3) and Formula (B.4):

f1 =−
∆fc
+
( ∆fc ) 2 + 4 fT2 (B.5)
2 2
f2 = f1 + ∆fc (B.6)

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Annex C
(informative)
Masking, masking threshold, masking index

Masking is the raising o f the audibility threshold for a sound as a result o f the influence o f another
sound. [3]
The masking threshold, L T , is that sound pressure level of a sinusoidal test tone that is required for it to
′

be just perceivable in the presence o f a masking noise (critical band level, L G ). The masking threshold is
determined in repeated tests in which a group o f subjects with normal hearing can just perceive the
tone in 50 % o f the cases.
The masking index, a v = L′T − LG , is the difference between the level of the test tone, L T , and the critical
′

band level, LG . At low frequencies, the masking index has a value o f approximately −2 dB. Above a
transition range between 0,2 kHz and 1 kHz, it falls at a constant logarithmic rate to −6 dB at 20 kHz.

Figure C.1 — Masking index, av, as a function of frequency, f

The masking index, a v, is given by Formula (C.1):

   f / Hz  2 ,5  
a v =  −2 − lg  1 +     dB (C.1)
   502   

where
f is the frequency, in Hertz (Hz).

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Annex D
(informative)
I te ra ti ve m e th o d f
o r th e d e te r m i n a ti o n o f
th e a u d i b i l i ty, ∆ L

Figure D.1 s hows an iterative me tho d for c a lc u lation o f the tona l aud ibi l ity.

Figure D.1 — Iterative method

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Detailed diagram 1
The mean narrow-band level, LS , a nd au xi l i ar y quantitie s to de term i ne the u ncer tai nty are c a lc u late d

for all spectral lines (see Figure D.2).

Figure D.2 — Detailed diagram 1

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 ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Detailed diagram 2
The tone level, LT, and the auxiliary quantities to determine the uncertainty is calculated for the
first/next spectral line o f frequency, fT. In addition, the tone is checked for distinctness (see Figure D.3).

Figure D.3 — Detailed diagram 2

Detailed diagram 3
A number o f tones in one critical band are grouped together and auxiliary quantities for determination
o f uncertainty are calculated. The maximum Δ L o f the spectrum is identified (see Figure D.4).

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

reached?

with 5.3.8?

yes

Figure D.4 — Detailed diagram 3

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Annex E
(informative)
Example for the determination of the tonal audibility

T he noi s e e xample s are derive d from Re ference [ 7].

80
dB
70

60

50

40
LA

30

20

10

0
0 100 200 300 400
Hz
f

Key
f frequency, in H ertz (H z)

Δf i c width of the critical band with the run index, , in Hertz (Hz) i

Δ fi line spacing independent from the run index, , in Hertz (Hz) i

Ki numb er o f s p ectral lines with to ne energy o f the to ne with the run index, i

L A A-weighted sound pressure level, in decibels (dB)

NO TE T he s p e c tr u m conta i n s fu r ther ton a l co mp o nents b e yo nd the ra nge s hown .

Figure E.1 — Narrow band spectrum of a combustion engine (Spectrum 1 of 5)

T he u n i form noi s e o f a combu s tion engi ne was re corde d on a tap e mach i ne, then five na rrow-b a nd

spectra were derived. As stated in 5.1 , a lower nu mb er o f narrow-b and average d s p e c tra i s s u fficient

i f the va lue o f the ex tende d uncer ta i nty, U, o f the me an aud ibi l ity, Δ L , is lower than or equal to ±1,5 dB.
T he e xtende d u ncer tai nty, U, o f th i s aud ibi l ity, Δ L , in this case, has a value of ±1,38 dB (see below).

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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

Step 1: Determination of the line spacing and range to be investigated

Li ne s p aci ng: Δ f = 2,7 Hz.
T
Range i nve s tigate d: 9 1 , 5 H z ≤ f ≤ 3 676 , 8 H z .

Step 2: Determination of the tone frequencies, fTj,k, of the tone level, LTj,k, of the mean narrow-
band level, LS j,k, and the audibilities, Δ Lj,k, for all spectra ( j is the run index of the spectrum, k is
the run index of the tone frequency)
The mean narrow-band levels, S , of the masking noise are calculated in each case in accordance with
L

5.3.2 Formula (6)] in an iterative procedure from the narrow-band levels of the critical band about
j, k

[s e e

the tone frequencies, T . The tone levels, T , are calculated in accordance with 5.3.3 Formula (8)]
f L [s e e

from the narrow-band levels that lie 6 dB above the mean narrow-band level, S , and less than 10 dB
j, k j, k

L j, k

f
b elow the narrow-b a nd level s o f the tone f
re quenc ie s . T he s e level s are given, b y way o e xample, i n

Table E.1 f for the fi rs t o ).

the five s p e c tra (the s p e c tru m with the gre ate s t de ci s ive aud ibi l ity, Δ L j

Table E.1 — Frequencies fi and A-weighted narrow-band levels Li in the critical band with the
centre frequency 137,3 Hz o f the first spectrum
fi in Hz 96,9 99,6 102,3 105,0 107,7 110,4 113,0 115,7 118,4 121,1 123,8 126,5 129,2
Li in dB 49,40 50,68 50,09 53,37 44,47 50,91 51,41 59,40 64,54 57,57 51,02 50,76 59,93
fi in Hz 131,9 134,6 137,3 140,0 142,7 145,3 148,0 150,7 153,4 156,1 158,8 161,5 164,2
Li in dB 62,94 58,49 65,87 62,66 50,25 51,32 52,30 52,58 53,15 67,04 67,27 57,40 57,17
fi in Hz 166,9 169,6 172,3 175,0 177,6 180,3 183,0 185,7 188,4 191,1 193,8 196,5
Li in dB 52,56 51,39 52,49 47,68 51,26 49,03 61,42 59,52 48,43 50,84 48,20 55,95
NOTE 1 The values in bold represent the frequencies and narrow-band level that contribute to the tone levels, T , in the L

, and are thus the frequencies and narrow-band level that, in the
k

c r i tic a l b a nd ab o ut the to ne with the g re ate s t aud ib i l i t y, Δ L

iterative procedure, lie more than 6 dB above the mean A-weighted narrow-band levels, S , and less than 10 dB below the L

narrow-band levels for the corresponding tone frequencies. For the three tones, it follows that
k

— f T1 = 118,4 Hz: 2 = 64,54 dB; S1 = 49,91 dB,

the n a r ro w- b a nd le ve l at the to ne re que nc y, f L L

— f T2 = 137,3 Hz: 2 = 65,87 dB; S2 = 49,22 dB, and

the n a r ro w- b a nd le ve l at the to ne re que nc y, f L L

— f T3 = 158,8 Hz: 3 = 67,27 dB; S3 = 49,90 dB.

the n a r ro w- b a nd le ve l at the to ne re que nc y, f L L

NOTE 2 T he va lue s wi th a g re y b ackg ro u nd rep re s e nt the fre quenc ie s a nd n a r ro w- b a nd le ve l s th at, i n the i terati ve

procedure, lie more than 6 dB above the mean A-weighted narrow-band level, S
L , o f the to ne at the to ne fre que nc y
fT2 = 1 3 7, 3 H z wi th the g re ate s t aud ib i l it y, Δ L (>5 4, 2 2 d B ) , a nd thu s do no t co ntr ib ute to th i s le ve l , L S.
The Hanning correction shall be used for the calculation of the tone level from the narrow-band levels, . Li

To de term i ne the , in accordance with 5.3.7

aud ibi l itie s , Δ L j, k Formula (14)], the critical band [s e e

levels, G , shall be calculated using Formula (12) given in 5.3.5, and the masking index, v , shall
L a

be calculated using Formula (13) given in 5.3.6. In this case, there are 5 spectra with 6 to 10 tones,
j, k j, k

and thus has a value of 1 to 5 and the values 6, 7, 9 and 10 (see Table E.3). All the parameters of the
j k

spectrum and the 9 tones = 1 to 9 are presented in

j = 1 ne ce s s a r y to c a lc u late the aud ibi l itie s Δ L j, k k

Table E.2.
I n add ition to the de term i nation o f the aud ibi l ity, Δ L , o f a tone, it i s a l s o ne ce s s a r y to eva luate its

distinctness.

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 Lj,k j = 1)
© ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

T a b l e E . 2 — P a r a m e t e r s f
o r c a l c u l a t i o n o f
t h e a u d i b i l i t i e s Δ o f
t h e fi r s t s p e c t r u m (

Lower limit Upper limit A-weighted A-weighted Uncertainty

Run index Tone L
frequency of frequency of A-weighted tone level level of the Masking of the
of the tone frequency Formula (14)
A u d i b i l i t y Δ

the the critical averaged level Formula (7) index

masking noise Formula individual
critical band band Formula (6) and Formula (12) (13) spectrum
Formula (4) Formula (5) Formula (8)
k fT 1, k Δ L1, k f1 1, k f2 1, k L S 1, k LT 1, k L G 1, k a v 1, k U
− in Hz in dB in Hz in Hz in dB in dB in dB in dB in dB
1 118,4 1,92 80,70 177,60 48,91 64,56 64,66 −2 , 01 3,66
2 137,3 4,99 96,90 196,50 49,22 67,96 64,98 −2 , 0 2 2,79
3 158,8 4,37 118,40 215,30 50,50 68,63 66,28 −2 , 0 2 3,51
4 314,9 1,78 266,50 371,40 52,85 68,50 68,84 −2 ,1 2 2,46
5 433,4 0,87 382,20 492,60 58,29 73,17 74,52 −2 , 2 3 3,09
6 592,2 4,55 535,60 656,80 59,53 78,31 76,16 −2 ,4 0 2,82
7 629,8 1,01 570,60 694,40 59,71 75,00 76,44 −2 ,4 4 2,67
8 643,3 3,47 584,10 707,90 61,98 79,75 78,74 −2 ,4 6 3,56
9 1 582,7 0,73 1 469,60 1 703,80 54,16 71,07 73,60 −3 , 2 7 2,27
2 FG 137,3 9,18 96,90 196,50 49,22 72,15 64,98 −2 , 0 2 3,21
6 FG 592,2 9,12 535,60 656,80 59,53 81,11 76,16 −2 ,4 0 3,24
NOTE The tone with the run index k = 2 FG ( FG me a n s a nu mb e r o f to ne s i n o ne c r i tic a l b a nd) at 1 3 7, 3 H z yie ld s the de c i s i ve aud ib i l it y Δ L1 of 9,18 dB.

ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)
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Step 3: Determination o f the decisive audibility, Δ Lj, of each spectrum and the mean audibility,
Δ L , of all spectra
The steps necessary to determine the decisive audibility, Δ L , of each individual spectrum are given in
4.3.8. The mean audibility, Δ L , of the noise in accordance with 5.3.9 [see Formula (20) ] is the energy
j

mean value o f the 8 decisive audibilities, Δ L . The tone frequencies, fT , and audibilities, Δ L , of all
5 spectra are presented in Table E.3 and the decisive audibilities, Δ L , are presented in bold.
j j, k j, k

Table E.3 — All tonal components in the five measured spectra o f a combustion engine
Run index of the spectrum, 1 j

Run index of the tone, 1

k 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 —
Tone frequencies, T f j, k118,4 137,3 158,8 314,9 433,4 592,2 629,8 643,3 1582,7 —
Audibilities, Δ
L j, k 1,92 4,99 4,37 1,78 0,87 4,55 1,01 3,47 0,73 —
Audibilities, Δ FG
L j, k — 9,18 — — — 9,12 — — — —
Run index of the spectrum, 2 j

Run index of the tone, 1

k 2 3 4 5 6 — — — —
Tone frequencies, T f j, k156,1 430,7 465,7 963,6 1 512,7 1 590,8 — — — —
Audibilities, Δ
L j, k 0,52 6,04 0,60 4,11 0,27 3,42 — — — —
Audibilities, Δ FG
L j, k — — — — — 3,52 — — — —
Run index of the spectrum, 3 j

Run index of the tone, 1

k 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 —
Tone frequencies, T f j, k118,4 137,3 158,8 433,4 589,5 643,3 963,6 1 512,7 1 580,0 —
Audibilities, Δ
L j, k 1,77 2,99 2,71 1,78 2,56 1,40 0,34 2,44 3,48 —
Audibilities, Δ FG
L j, k — 7,46 — — — — — — 4,48 —
Run index of the spectrum, 4 j

Run index of the tone, 1

k 2 3 4 5 6 7 — — —
Tone frequencies, T f j, k156,1 433,4 465,7 643,3 707,9 963,6 1 580,0 — — —
Audibilities, Δ
L j, k 0,65 2,67 0,25 0,40 0,35 1,61 2,14 — — —
Audibilities, Δ FG
L j, k — — — — — — — — — —
Run index of the spectrum, 5 j

Run index of the tone, 1

k 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Tone frequencies, T f j, k118,4 137,3 156,1 433,4 640,6 699,8 942,1 960,9 1 512,7 1 590,8
Audibilities, Δ
L j, k 1,48 2,95 1,50 0,93 2,63 1,73 0,00 1,88 0,37 2,52
Audibilities, Δ FG
L j, k — 7,17 — — — — — 2,32 — 2,82
NOTE The values for the decisive differences are presented in bold.
The mean audibility Δ L = 6,96 dB.
The individual parameters for calculation o f the decisive audibilities, Δ L , o f the five measured spectra
are presented in Table E.4.
j

30 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

 Lj
© ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

T a b l e E . 4 — P a r a m e t e r s f o r c a l c u l a t i o n o f
t h e d e c i s i ve a u d i b i l i t i e s , Δ , o f
t h e fi ve m e a s u r e d s p e c t r a o f
a c o m b u s t i o n e n g i n e

Decisive Lower limit Upper limit A-weighted A-weighted

3-second Tone audibility of frequency of frequency of A-weighted tone level level of the Masking Uncertainty of
spectrum an individual
frequency spectrum the critical the critical averaged level Formulae index
(7) masking noise Formula the individual
band band Formula (6) and (8) Formula (12) (13) spectrum
Formula (14) Formula (4) Formula (5)
Run index fT L f1 Δ f2 LS LT LG av U

in Hz in dB in Hz in Hz in dB in dB in dB in dB in dB
j j j j j j j j

1 (FG) 137,3 9,18 96,90 196,50 49,22 72,15 64,98 −2 , 0 2 3,21

2 430,7 6,04 379,50 489,90 55,06 75,11 71,29 −2 , 2 3 2,95
3 (FG) 137,3 7,46 96,90 196,50 50,40 71,61 66,16 −2 , 0 2 2,44
4 433,4 2,67 382,20 492,60 55,12 71,79 71,35 −2 , 2 3 2,52
5 (FG) 137,3 7,17 96,90 196,50 50,70 71,61 66,46 −2 , 02 2,14
NO TE T he s p e c tr u m wi th a g re y b ackg ro u nd (r u n i nde x j = 1) h a s the g re ate s t de c i s i ve aud ib i l i ty, Δ L j , of 9,18 dB; the spectrum is presented in Figure E.1 (FG represents a number
of tones in one critical band).

ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)
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ISO/PAS 20065:2016(E)

f f L , in accordance with
Clause 6
S t e p 4 : D e t e r m i n a t i o n o t h e e x t e n d e d u n c e r t a i n t y o t h e m e a n a u d i b i l i t y, Δ

I f at le as t 1 2 s p e c tra are eva luate d , then a che ck o f the u ncer tai nty o f the me an aud ibi l ity, Δ L , is
no t ne ce s s a r y (s e e 5.1 ) . Si nce there are on ly 5 s p e c tra i n th i s c a s e, it i s ne ce s s ar y to che ck that the

uncer ta i nty ma rgi n do e s no t e xce e d a va lue o f U = ±1,4 dB.

T he va lue o f the u ncer tai nty ma rgi n i s c a lc u late d as given i n Clause 6 and has a value = ±1,38 dB. Since U

U i s le s s th an the ma xi mu m s p e c i fie d va lue o f ±1 , 5 d B , the nu mb er o f me a s ure d s p e c tra i s s u fficient (i n

view o f the un i form ity o f the noi s e) .

Step 5: Documentation of the acoustic data

In accordance with 7.4, the following acoustic data are to be documented:
— line spacing and investigation range (Step 1);
— tone frequencies, T , for all spectra (see Table E.3);
f j, k, and corre s p ond i ng aud ibi l itie s , Δ L j, k

— (Step 3);
me an aud ibi l ity, Δ L j

— e xtende d u ncer tai nty (Step 4) ;

— diagrammatic representation of the narrow-band level of the averaged spectrum with the
dominant tone.
f Clause 7 on the measurement procedure, the acoustic surroundings
T he o ther i n ormation s p e ci fie d i n

and on the measurement, recording and evaluation instruments are not given in this example.

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Bibliography

[1] ECMA-74:2003-12, Measurement of airborne noise emitted by information technology and

telecommunications equipment
[2] ANSI S1.13, 1) Measurement of sound pressure levels in air
[3] Z wicker E., & Fastl H. Psychoacoustics — Facts and Models. Springer, 1999
[4] Z wicker E., F lottorp G., S te vens S.S. Critical Band Width in Loudness Summation. J. Acoust.
Soc. Am. 1957, 29 pp. 548–557
[5] R andall R.B. Frequency analysis. Brüel & Kjaer, 1987
[6] P lomb R. The ear as a frequency analyzer. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 1964, 36 pp. 1628–1636
[7] P ompe tzki W. Vergleich der Tonhaltigkeit nach DIN 45681 mit subjektiven Bewertungen,
Fortschritte der Akustik — DAGA ’98. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Akustik e.V., Oldenburg, S.
224 — 225
[8] Wiesm ann N., & Fastl H. Ausgeprägtheit der Tonhöhe und Frequenzunterschiedsschwellen von
Bandpass-Rauschen, Fortschritte der Akustik — DAGA ’91. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Akustik
e.V., Oldenburg, S. 505508

1) Reaffirmation o f ANSI S1.13-1995.

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ICS  17.140.01
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© ISO 2016 – All rights reserved