In speech science, how is loudness perceived?

Loudness is primarily perceived as a result of amplitude. In the context of sound waves, amplitude refers to the height of the sound wave. A greater amplitude corresponds to a louder sound, while a smaller amplitude results in a quieter sound. This relationship between amplitude and perceived loudness is well-established in acoustics. As the amplitude of the sound wave increases, the energy carried by the wave increases, leading to a more intense auditory experience for the listener.

While frequency, overtones, and pitch are all important aspects of sound, they do not directly correlate to the perception of loudness in the same way amplitude does. Frequency refers to the number of oscillations per second and is primarily associated with the perception of pitch, not loudness. Similarly, overtones contribute to the timbre of a sound rather than its loudness. Therefore, understanding loudness as a function of amplitude helps clarify its role in auditory perception.