The relationship between pure-tone noise and human bio-signal response

Abstract

The experiences of stress are common to all living things. Noise is one of the most widespread sources of environmental stress. Noise is a pervasive aspect of many modern community and work environments. So, it is important to consider noise when we design human-oriented products. This study investigates the responses of electrocardiogram (ECG) and eye tracker data in order to evaluate the direct effects of low, middle, and high frequency noise on the two main physiological stress axes: the autonomic nervous system, and cognitive responses for a human-oriented product design. A subject was exposed to low (100 Hz), middle (1000 Hz), and high frequency (100000 Hz) noise while awake. ECG and eye tracker data were collected during noise exposure. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity was less in the low and high frequency noise ranges compared to the no sound. On the other hand, parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity was greater in the low and high frequency noise ranges than the SNS activity in the no sound. The cognitive responses or latency saccadic eye movement (LSEM), in low or high frequency noise was greater than that in the no sound. And results of EEG and eye movement were statistically significant in low and high frequency noise (r > 0.93, p < 0.05). The findings of this study indicate that the stress induced by low frequency noise is as stressful as the stress induced by high frequency noise. Additionally, utilizing eye tracker data and acquiring the LSEM is useful in the analysis of human stress responses during various stressful situations in addition to the analysis of human stress responses during noise exposure.