Gender differences in cognitive performance and psychophysiological responses during noise exposure and different workloads

Abstract

BackgroundGender can affect the relationship between noise exposure and both cognitive function and comfort; however, evidence is still limited. This study aimed to examine the gender differences in cognitive performance and psychophysiological responses during exposure to noise under tasks with different workloads. MethodsThirty-two participants (16 females and 16 males) with normal hearing and good general health were recruited. They were asked to perform the N-Back test at three levels of workload during exposure to four low-frequency noise conditions: 55, 65, 70, and 75 dB(A). The participants were also asked to judge noise-induced annoyance and subjective fatigue using visual analog scales at the end of each noise condition. The heart rate variability was also recorded using Nexus-4 device before and during each trial and the ratio of low to high frequency (LF/HF) power was analyzed. ResultsThe results revealed that the females rated significantly higher levels of annoyance and fatigue than the males. The mean accuracy of the women in the level of 55 dB(A) with a medium workload was higher than that of the men, while in higher noise levels the men showed better performance. The response time to the stimulus was also lower in females at different noise levels and workloads. Furthermore, the findings showed that, with increasing noise level and workload, the LF/HF of the women was higher than that of the men. ConclusionFemales and males indicated significant and different responses in exposure to different noise levels and workloads. Therefore, this study suggests that gender criteria should be taken into account particularly in the job selection, work content, and design of workplaces.