To provide a "noise estimating apparatus" for detecting whether a pulse-wise noise is included or not in noise level signals before calculation of a gain for compensation of loudness and also provide an audio apparatus using the same noise estimating apparatus.

The noise estimating apparatus includes a plurality of different filters arranged in parallel for reducing or removing noise level signals inputted to the noise estimating apparatus and a control unit 9 for selecting an adequate filter in accordance with the noise level signals. The filter includes a median filter 5 for removing pulse-wise noise and a moving average filter 7 for reducing random noise.