How does noise pollution exposure affect vocal behavior? A systematic review

Abstract

Background Various types of pollution, like atmospheric, water, soil, noise, have been reported as voice risk factors and exposure can result in vocal problems. Particularly, environmental noise causes the Lombard effect, forcing individuals to raise their voice volume. Exposure to noisy environments could provoke vocal folds lesions such as nodules, oedema, cysts, polyps as well as according to WHO (2018) annoyance, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment in children, and adverse impacts on the cardiovascular and the metabolic system. Objective The purpose of the current study was to systematically review the current literature for the impact of environmental noise on vocal behavior. Methods Quires in Scholar Google and PubMed databases for peer-reviewed articles that reported environmental noise pollution exposure outcomes at voice behavior were conducted during the last 20 years. Primary Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) together with the Assessment for Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) were employed for this study. Results 32 articles were included for the final analysis according to the inclusion criteria. Environmental noise conditions in work and leisure settings were examined. Main findings indicated vocal annoyance, while when comparing patients with vocal lesions to control group, it was pinpointed that (i) they work in higher noise environments, with the consequence to raise voice levels and therefore causing hoarseness, vocal trauma and lesions on vocal cords (ii) average voice level and fundamental frequency were also significantly higher during work (iii) no significant differences in average noise, voice level and fundamental frequency were noted during leisure conditions. Conclusions This systematic review indicated that noise pollution exposure especially at work conditions affects vocal behavior and therefore human health. It reveals the need of further in-depth future research regarding vocally demanding professions and environmental noise along with procedures that contribute towards vocal health and prevent occupational voice disorders.