PERFORMANCE OF NOISE INDEXES IN AIR-CONDITIONED LANDSCAPED OFFICE BUILDINGS

Noise measurements and a questionnaire survey were carried out in air- conditioned landscaped offices in the present study in an attempt to f ind out what existing noise index gives the best correlation with the auditory sensation feeling of office workers. Results from statistical analyses show that the Equivalent Sound Pressure Level is the best am ong the 14 commonly used noise indices for this purpose. It is also fo und that the less commonly used Zwicker's loudness level performs bett er than the commonly adopted Noise Criterion curves and Noise Rating c urves in predicting auditory sensation of office workers in air-condit ioned landscaped offices. The performance of the 14 noise indices in p redicting auditory comfort are compared. (C) 1997 Acoustical Society o f America.