Survey of Perceived Living Noise in Apartment Buildings

This paper presents the findings of a questionnaire survey conducted to examine the current status and perceptions of living noise, a common issue in apartment buildings. A total of 504 respondents participated in the survey, which covered topics such as general information, living noise, floor impact noise, and bathroom noise. The most frequently reported disturbances from neighbors were, in order: children running, bathroom drainage noise, and adult walking. The living room and the main bedroom were identified as the primary spaces affected by living noise. When elementary school-aged children or preschoolers resided in the upstairs apartment, the frequency and severity of floor impact noise were notably higher. Additionally, noise from neighboring bathrooms, as heard from the main bedroom, included not only drainage noise but also talking, showering, and urination. To address the issue of living noise in apartment buildings, it is recommended to develop technologies that mitigate floor impact noise through improved floor coverings and reduce bathroom noise transmission effectively.