The effect of type and level of background noise on food liking: A laboratory non-focused listening test

Previous studies have shown that background noise can affect the liking of food. However, little is known about the liking of food in the presence of different background noise types and levels. This paper investigated food liking, relative to the background noise in the room (i.e. no noise conditions), for three background noise types (relaxing music, road traffic noise and restaurant noise) and three noise levels (30, 40 and 50 dBA). Fifteen participants rated liking of food using an 11-point Likert scale. Dose-response relationships of food liking in the presence of different background noise types and levels were presented. The results indicated that the type of background noise affected the liking of food (F(2, 97) = 134, p < 0.001). The increase in the level of the noise also decreased the liking of food regardless of the noise type (F(2, 77) = 41, p < 0.001). Relaxing music increased the liking of food at 30 and 40 dBA relative to the background noise in the room (i.e. no noise condition) by (mean ± SE) 60 ± 10 and 38 ± 10%, respectively. Restaurant noise and road traffic noise decreased the liking of food at all levels, compared to the background noise in the room (p < 0.001). The findings can help identify and quantify types and levels of background noise that can increase the enjoyment of food. These results could also be helpful in choosing and designing dining areas with background noise that increase food enjoyment.