Loudness perception is essentially logarithmic

Evidence

Use of the dB(SPL) scale results in a more convenient range of values (0 to 130) to consider, since values in the range of about 0 to 100 are common in everyday dealings. Also, it is a more appropriate basis for expressing acoustic amplitude values, changes in which are primarily perceived as variations in loudness, since loudness perception turns out to be essentially logarithmic in nature. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 611

Use of the dB(SPL) scale results in a more convenient range of values (0 to 130) to consider, since values in the range of about 0 to 100 are common in everyday dealings. Also, it is a more appropriate basis for expressing acous­ tic amplitude values, changes in which are primarily perceived as variations in loudness since loudness perception turns out to be essentially logarith­ mic in nature. — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 599

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains why the dB scale is the natural perceptual unit: because loudness perception is logarithmic.
• XREF: Connects to the reader’s broader interest in silence and listening - the logarithmic nature of loudness perception is foundational to audio and acoustic ecology. — connects to: A-weighted dB values misrepresent perceived loudness for complex sounds. — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 1176; Loudness grows as a power law of physical intensity so relative changes match — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 1262; Logarithmic hearing means equal decibel steps need larger absolute pressure differences (+12 more)
• corroborated: 5 independent passages support this claim — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 611; David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 599

Broader Connections

• Loudness perception is logarithmic, which is why decibel scales fit hearing so well. #corroborates (1.00)
• Loudness perception requires a tenfold intensity increase to double #expands (0.95) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 652
• Perceived loudness does not map one-to-one onto acoustic amplitude #expands (0.90) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 616
• Perceived loudness and physical sound intensity follow different, non-intuitive mathematical scales #corroborates (0.85) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 53