Application of analytic wavelet transform to analysis of highly impulsive noises

Time–frequency (T–F) domain analysis is necessary to characterize highly transient signals. The analytic wavelet transform (AWT), which has features of both the Fourier transform and the wavelet transform, is advocated as an ideal T–F signal analysis tool in this paper. Underlying theories and basic properties of the AWT are discussed in comparison with a commonly used short-time Fourier transform (STFT) method. The AWT is set up specifically for acoustics applications to describe T–F changes of the signal in sound pressure level, and applied to characterize two highly impulsive sound signals. Comparing the results from the AWT and the STFT clearly demonstrates the advantage of the AWT, which captures temporal and spectral characteristics of the signal in much more detail. A potential application of the AWT to risk assessment of impulsive noise-induced hearing loss is discussed.