Assessing Noise Sensitivity on Psycho-Physiological Parameters

Abstract

The current study aimed to assess the effect of noise sensitivity on a physiological parameter. (Skin Conductance) Noise exposure has number of negative effects and disturbs in our day to day activities and performance’s among individuals not only psychologically but physiologically as well. The present work was carried out on healthy post graduate students of a Central University. The students were exposed to varied levels of noise sensitivity from 2 to 10 dBA with different basal value. All through the laboratory experiment, the noise stimuli were presented for 50 minutes on different dBA with 10 minutes each, and the participant’s skin resistance with each decibel was recorded. All physiological measures varied significantly with the duration of noise exposure. The parameter recorded was galvanic skin resistance (GSR) under different treatment conditions. Significant increase in GSR was recorded in students who were exposed to noise stress separately for each session. It was also observed that these changes were related to duration of exposure to noise stress. It is presumed that extra auditory effects are due to activation of autonomic nervous system and hypothalamo-hypophyseal adrenal axis, and the resultant release of catecholamine’s from adrenal medulla due to noise stress. Implications and suggestions for further study proposed.