Sample recordings of corona noise from extra-high voltage transmission lines, corona noise recordings with spectral modifications, samples of other environmental sounds, and artificial reference sounds were presented to 19 participants while they viewed television in a simulated living room. Each sound was rated for both annoyance and the extra concentration required for television viewing. Despite relatively low sound levels, corona noise was rated more annoying than ambient noise conditions near the lines. Higher frequency portions (above 500 Hz) of the corona noise spectrum contributed most to annoyance, although lower frequencies also contributed. Noise measurement scales that give more emphasis to higher frequencies (A- and D-weighted sound levels) appeared more accurate predictors of annoyance ratings than was unweighted sound pressure level. The results closely paralleled data derived from experiments employing nonverbal measures of noise aversiveness.
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