For the assessment of noise in dwellings the use a simple qualitative comparison of narrow-band noise and vibration spectra is recommended. It is suggested to associate the spectra and present them graphically. The proposed method was successfully tested during the solution of several complaints on noise caused by technical sources installed in buildings such as heat exchanger station, lifts etc. As it was proved the vibration and noise spectra in living areas correspond much more to the vibration spectra of the noise sources support than the consequent noise spectra measured near the source. The use of the method does not present high demands on technical equipment and measuring method as other technical method like coherence measurement. When using the method it is not necessary to measure simultaneously at the source and in living areas. The use of the method helps to assess the justification of complaints about noise and can be used in the design of technical noise control measures. It was found that after a longer stay it is for some person possible to identify low-frequency noise the level of which lies deep, i.e. more than 10 dB, under the hearing threshold according to present international standards.

        Key words: noise - low-frequency noise - noise in dwellings - vibration - identifi- cation of noise source