Investigating the effects of different levels and types of construction noise on emotions using EEG data

Abstract

Construction noise can affect human health and wellbeing through its negative effects on emotions. This study used EEG data to investigate the effects of different types and levels of construction noise on emotions. 23 participants were exposed to different types and levels of construction noise. Two different power spectral analysis, including the traditional approach and parametrizing neural power spectra, were used. The participants' responses regarding the effects of the noise conditions on their emotions in terms of annoyance and stress were also recorded using a questionnaire. To statistically analyze the data, linear mixed models analysis was employed in this study. The subjective data obtained from the questionnaires showed significant effects of the noise on the annoyance and stress perceived by the participants. The analysis of the EEG data also showed significant effects of different types and levels of construction noise on the brain signals. We found that different noise types and levels had significant effects on overall brain signal amplitude. The frontal lobe analysis results revealed that saw and jackhammer had the most negative emotional effects. The temporal lobe reacted differently to the noise types with different acoustic characteristics. The findings of this study will aid to identify the types and levels of construction noise with the most negative effects on human emotions. This would enable us to revisit occupational and environmental noise regulations to protect construction noise receivers against the noise levels and types with the most negative health effects.