What is loudness in relation to sound?

Loudness is defined as the human perception of the intensity of sound. It refers to how our ears and brain interpret the strength or amplitude of sound waves. While sound intensity is an objective measurement related to the physical properties of sound waves, loudness is subjective and can vary from person to person based on various factors, including distance from the sound source, the frequency of the sound, and individual hearing ability.

Understanding loudness in this way highlights its reliance on human interpretation rather than just raw data or physical properties. This distinguishes it from other concepts in sound, such as frequency, which relates to the pitch of a sound, or amplitude, which corresponds to the physical heights of sound waves impacting the medium through which they travel.