Individual factors and its association with experience noise annoyance in Swedish preschools

Abstract

Studies have shown that preschool teachers often report having a troublesome working environment in terms of high noise levels. Noise annoyance is often reported from employees working under poor acoustical conditions. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is an association between rated noise annoyance and actual noise exposure for Swedish preschool teachers. The study included 90 preschool teachers in Sweden. The average equivalent noise exposure was about 71 dBA and the average rated noise annoyance was about 65 on a 0-100mm scale. Rated noise annoyance was weakly associated with the sound exposure during a work week in the preschool (r = 0,23, P = 0,07). Analysis for differences in noise annoyance ratings between preschool teachers with different individual characteristics (hearing impairment, tinnitus, age, gender) revealed no statistical significant differences. However; teachers that worry about their hearing (t = -4,66, df = 86, P < 0,05) and teachers with a high degree of burnout (t = -2,88, df = 86, P < 0,05) reported more noise annoyance. Other factors besides noise levels need to be investigated to better explain what affects differences in rated noise annoyance at work among preschool teachers in Sweden.