Characteristics of Whole-body Vibration Induced Through Low-frequency Sound Exposure

Within audio-tactile playback systems, the induced vibration is often calibrated subjectively with no objective frame of reference. Using a broadband excitation signal, the sound induced vibration characteristics of the torso were identified, including the magnitude response, amplitude conversion efficiency and subjective perceptual thresholds. The effect of additional factors such as Body Mass Index were considered. The human torso was shown to act as a Helmholtz cavity, while an increase in BMI was shown to reduce the peak vibration amplitude. The body was further shown to behave as a linear transducer of sound into vibration, leading to the production of a novel conversion table. Perceptual tests identified a frequency dependent threshold of 94-107dBZ required to induce a perceivable whole-body vibration.