Effect of neighbours sounds in wooden residential buildings on restorative EEG rhythm (Alpha waves)

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the effect of neighbours sounds commonly heard in wooden residential buildings on restorative EEG rhythm represented by Alpha waves. Thirty participants took part in a listening test which was performed to collect EEG data in distinct acoustics scenarios. Noise sensitivity and attitude toward neighbours were introduced as non-acoustic moderators and assessed through questionnaires before the experiment. A series of impact and airborne sounds were presented through loudspeakers and subwoofer, while participants sat comfortably in the simulated living room wearing the EEG headset (B-alert X24(r) system). The impact sound sources were two types of footsteps, adult walking and child running, recorded in a laboratory on different floor configurations and thus, varying in sound pressure level and frequency characteristics. The airborne sound sources were a lively conversation and a piece of classical piano music, digitally filtered to represent good and poor sound insulation performances of vertical partitions. The effect of sound stimuli and non-acoustic factors on restorative EEG rhythm corresponding to Alpha waves (8-13 Hz) was then analysed. Differences in response to distinct acoustic scenario were observed. Additionally, Alpha band activity showed to be affected by noise sensitivity and attitude toward neighbours of participants.