loudness

(noun)

The characteristic of a sound that is primarily a psychological correlate of physical strength (amplitude). More formally, it is defined as "that attribute of auditory sensation in terms of which sounds can be ordered on a scale extending from quiet to loud. "

Related Terms

Examples of loudness in the following topics:

  • Volume

    • Speakers control the production of sound either using their own voice or a microphone so that amplified sound is loud enough to be heard.
    • Volume is the loudness of the speaker.
    • It is perceived as auditory sensation by the listener which can be ordered on a scale from quiet to loud.
    • If speaking in a face-to-face group without a microphone ask yourself if you are loud enough to be heard by audience members in the last row.
    • A sound wave with its frequency (pitch) and amplitude (loudness) labeled

  • Rate

    • Rate is part of the paralanguage of speech along with loudness and pitch.

  • The Do's of Using Visual Aids

    • Similarly, audio elements must be loud enough to hear.

  • Pitch

    • Pitch is closely related to frequency of sound waves; it is almost entirely determined by how quickly the sound wave is making the air vibrate and has almost nothing to do with the intensity, or amplitude, of the wave, which relates to loudness.

  • Proxemics

    • At the most basic level, the speaker who is using public space needs to make sure that the voice is loud enough to be heard and that all members of the audience can see the speaker, gestures, and any supporting visual materials.

  • Preparing to Present

    • Read your speech out loud so you begin to develop muscle memory around your phrases and sentences.

  • Delivering the Speech

    • Besides remaining calm and speaking clearly and at a loud enough volume, here are the most important things to consider as you present your speech.

  • The Don'ts of Using Sensory Enhancements

    • Don't have the audio so loud that people can't hear the speech properly or that it distracts the audience from your speech.

  • Be a Serious Listener: Resist Distractions and Listen Actively

    • Loud or extraneous noises can inhibit effective listening, as can unnecessary or excessive images.

  • Establishing Credibility

    • Keep it simple: loud patterns, bright colors, flashy jewelry, and revealing styles may distract the audience from your message.