Mean Noise Level Research Articles

ASSESSMENT OF NOISE LEVELS AND HEALTH-RELATED PROBLEMS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

Exposure to high noise levels in the hospital reportedly has negative effects on patients' health and reduces the productivity of the workers. This study assessed the noise levels in the various activity areas in some hospitals and their associated health effects in Abeokuta. The noise levels were measured using a digital sound level meter (Smart sensor DSLM). A descriptive cross-sectional survey was also conducted to examine the perception, effects, awareness and mitigation measures of noise among the hospital staff and patients. The observed mean noise levels in decibels (dB) throughout the activity areas in the hospitals ranged from 61.1-76.9dB (FMC), 62.0-74.3dB (SH), 63.4-71.4dB (SHH), 66.0-81.5dB (HC), and 59.0-66.7dB (KPH). The noise level was higher in the outpatient department and exceeded the WHO-recommended average noise levels in hospitals. Annoyance, distraction and stress were the most commonly reported noise effects among staff and patients in all hospitals. There was low awareness of noise effects and poor knowledge of mitigation measures for noise pollution among the respondents. Implementation of training to promote awareness of noise, enforcement and compliance with existing policies on noise prevention and control in healthcare facilities are highly recommended.

Effects of anthropogenic noise on haul-out numbers of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

Haul-out sites of harbor seals, Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758, include areas with high levels of anthropogenic noise. In some cases, seals haul out at night when there are lower in-air noise levels. However, it is unclear whether there are additional responses to noise pollution. To determine potential impacts of anthropogenic noise on haul-out behavior, we compared numbers of hauled-out harbor seals relative to in-air noise levels at two sites in Washington state, USA—one close to human activities (Bellingham waterfront) and one more distant (Semiahmoo marina)—between July 2020 and August 2021. We used generalized linear mixed models to identify predictors of seal numbers. The marina had lower mean noise levels than the waterfront (39.7 ± SD 6.1 dB, n = 29 observations versus 51.2 ± SD 5.2 dB, n = 126 observations). The plotted model prediction showed a significantly negative association between noise and seals at the marina, and no association was found at the waterfront. Results indicate that in-air noise levels may influence seal numbers at sites where human activities are low. They also suggest that, besides hauling out at night, seals may become tolerant to in-air noise levels at sites where human activities are high.

PO-04-136 VISUALIZATION OF LOW AMPLITUDE ELECTROGRAMS WITH A NOVEL RECORDING SYSTEM IN THE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY

Electrical noise, particularly power line noise at 50-60 Hz, is frequently generated by electrical equipment present in the electrophysiology (EP) laboratory. High frequency, low amplitude intracardiac unipolar and bipolar electrograms (EGMs) are particularly susceptible to distortion from this type of noise. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel EP recording system developed to address this issue. To measure baseline noise and the smallest identifiable EGMs in a range of procedures. We enrolled patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation (de novo as well as redo), SVT and conduction system pacemaker implantation. The peak-to-peak noise and intracardiac unipolar and bipolar signal amplitude was measured manually, initially side-by-side using the LabSystem (LS) Pro (Boston Scientific) and ECGenius System (CathVision) systems and then ECGenius System alone (Figure). EGMs were chosen to represent the lowest peak to peak amplitude of signals where information was of interest. A total of 37 consecutive patients were enrolled. The amplitude of the baseline noise measured on the LSPro system using standard filtering including a 60Hz notch filter was > 0.040 mV bipolar and > 0.100 mV unipolar. In contrast, on the ECGenius System the measured peak to peak baseline noise amplitude had a mean value of 0.010 ± 0.004 mV and 0.014 ± 0.018 mV for bipolar and unipolar EGMs, respectively using standard filter settings (Table). A mean noise level of 0.011 mV ± 0.005 was measured through a pacing lead allowing signals as low as 0.023 mV to be observed. The ability to visualize low amplitude intracardiac EGMs is essential during EP procedures. However, EGMs, especially unipolar EGMs, can be obscured by noise, most commonly due to power line interference. We demonstrate that a novel EP recording system had a mean noise level of only 0.010 mV with a low-end of 0.004 mV for bipolar signals. This allowed identification of intracardiac EGMs with a peak-to-peak voltage as low as 8 μV. These characteristics offer the possibility of improving outcomes during EP procedures and may also facilitate physiologic pacing through the identification of small His and bundle branch potentials.Tabled 1ECGenius measurements of baseline noise and lowest clinical EGM amplitude observed by catheter and trace typeBaselineLowest ClinicalminmeanStd.Dev.minmeanSt.Dev.Catheter TypeOrion0.0050.0130.0140.0270.0560.085Pentarray0.0040.0090.0050.0080.0290.035Ablation0.0050.0110.0030.0230.0370.015Pacemaker Lead0.0080.0110.0050.0230.0950.149EGM TypeUnipolar0.0080.0140.0180.0350.0900.138EGM TypeBipolar0.0040.0100.0040.0080.0330.026 Open table in a new tab

Indoor Noise Exposure and Related Health Risks in a Tertiary Institution within Edo State, Nigeria

Noise pollution is a problem in many countries around the world. In schools, exposure to noise causes a wide range of adverse effects on the health and performances of students and teachers. This study evaluated indoor noise exposure and related health risks in selected offices, classrooms and laboratories in a tertiary institution within Edo state, Nigeria using a digital sound level meter (Smart Sensor Model AS824). The mean levels of noise in the selected offices, classes and laboratories ranged from 44.1 – 57.9 dB, 52.8- 60.7 9 dB, and 51.1 – 58.4 dB respectively across the Faculty. The mean noise levels all exceeded the WHO and NESREA limits for noise in educational facilities. The level of noise measured in classrooms was significantly higher than those of offices and laboratories in the departments of Computer science (F=4.117; p=0.009), Chemistry (F= 6.41; p = 0.01), and Mathematics (F=3.75; P=0.01). The interactions among students during lectures and operations of office appliances were the most reported sources of high levels of noise in the study area. Stress, fatigue and high blood pressure were mostly identified among students and lecturers as health effects of high noise levels within the Faculty. The planting of trees, installation of sound insulators and awareness creation on the health effects of noise pollution in the institution are strongly recommended.

Voicing-, voiceless-, and non-glimpses in speech intelligibility prediction

The number of speech spectro-temporal (S-T) regions escaping from noise masking, known as “glimpses,” is proportional to speech intelligibility in noise. Previous studies have demonstrated that intelligibility can be estimated by calculating the glimpse proportion (GP). More recent evidence revealed that the contribution of glimpses to intelligibility differs in the energy level of the glimpsed regions, and that even non-glimpsed regions play a non-negligible role in speech perception in noise. This study incorporated the voicing-viceless information in estimating intelligibility using glimpses. Before computing the GP, the counts of raw glimpsed regions or those with energy above the mean noise level were weighted according to the voicing-voiceless status of a frame where the glimpses were detected. Evaluated using speech signals processed to have thirteen glimpse compositions in both temporally stationary and fluctuating noise maskers, the linear correlation between model predictions and listeners' word recognition rates increased from 0.76 to 0.80 for weighted GP, and from 0.89 to 0.92 for weighted high-energy GP. Further taking the contribution from non-glimpsed regions into account in the model improved the correlation to 0.95, suggesting that intelligibility in noise can be better predicted when the contributions of different speech regions are finely modelled.

Noise and Gaseous Pollutants Profiles of Outdoor Air Envelopes in Selected Areas Within Abeokuta, South Western Nigeria

This study examined the noise and gaseous pollutant levels associated with outdoor air envelopes of selected areas in Abeokuta, South Western Nigeria. Twenty-six locations were selected; Adata, Adigbe, Asero Estate, Ake, Elega, Ibara, Idi-Aba, Ilupeju, Kolobo, Itoko, Government Residential Area (GRA), Totoro, Ogbe, Onikaro, Oke Aregba, Oniyanrin Adatan, Iberekodo, Ijaye, Ita-Oshin (market), Ita-Oshin (industrial) Kuto, Itoku, Panseke, Omida, and Lanfewa. On-field measurement of CO, SO 2 , NO 2 , H 2 S, CH 4 and noise was achieved using an automated gas sampler and a sound meter. Mean noise levels varied from 36 ± 0.9 to 89 ± 0.3 dBA whilst CO values ranged from 25 to 74 ppm. S O 2 and NO 2 measurements ranged from 0.02 to 0.50 ppm and 0.1 to 0.4 ppm. The H 2 S and CH 4 values varied from 0.07 to 0.23 ppm and 0.07 to 0.24 ppm. The evaluated potential health risks to exposed individuals in the sampled areas especially concerning CO levels was worryingly very high. The observed differences between the noise and outdoor gaseous pollutant values for the different locational groups were significant ( P<0.05 ). All the mean noise values and gaseous air pollutants for the residential areas were comparatively lower than those observed for both the industrial and commercial areas. All the examined outdoor air envelopes surrounding the commercial areas are polluted with varying levels of gaseous contaminants and noise. Keywords: Abeokuta, Gaseous Pollutants, Commercial Area, Noise, Industrial area, Outdoor air DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-2-05 Publication date: March 31 st 2023

Contribution of outdoor noise-induced health risk in schools located in urbanized arid country.

Ambient noise pollution is deemed as one of the major growing public health issues, especially in developing countries. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the impact of noise pollution on public health. The aim of this study is to investigate the health risk of noise exposure levels in three schools: Kaab Bin Zeyd of Basic Education (school A), Hail Al-Awamour Girls school (school B), and Al-Fikr School (school C) in Muscat, Oman. The study employed a survey of 300 students, dose-response models, and regression models to quantify health risk and to determine the relationship between noise levels and perceived noise annoyance sources. The study found average noise levels (LAeq) of school A (70.03±8.21 dBA), school B (69.54±7.75 dBA), and school C (55.95± 5.67 dBA) to be higher than WHO's outdoor schools environment standard of 55 dBA and European (EN16798-1) classroom's critical limits of 30-34 dBA. Most of the students from schools A (30.9%), B (33.3%), and C (63%) have reported noise produced from traffic as extremely annoyed compared to aircraft of 15.4%, 11.5%, and 27.2%, respectively. Regression analysis shows that perceived traffic noise was strongly correlated with LAeq in school A (R2 =0.481), B (R2 =0.121), and C (R2 = 0.132) when compared with other subjective noise types. The health risk assessment results show that the percentage of highly annoyed (%HA) was higher in school A (15.2%) and school B (14.95%) than in school C (8.18%). The estimated highly sleep disturbed (%HSD) based on mean noise levels were almost the same in schools A (15.62%) and B (15.19%) but far higher compared to school C (6.01%). However, there was an association between the mean noise exposure levels and the risk of developing ischemic heart diseases (IHD) in school A (RR= 1.172, 95% CI: 1.020-1.334), school B (RR=1.167, 95% CI: 1.020-1.325), and school C (RR=1.051, 95% CI: 1.006-1.095). Moreover, attributable risk percentage (AR%) for school A (AR% =14.675, 95% CI: 2.028-25.037), school B (AR% =14.310, 95% CI: 1.960-24.528), and school C (AR% = 4.852, 95% CI:0.596-8.742) have shown that a substantial portion of the population could be prevented from developing IHD. It is expected that findings of the study can be applied in other arid regions with sprawl urbanized built environments.

Assessment of Environmental Parameters and Occupational Health Hazards of Rural Women in Post Harvest Activities of Assam

Agriculture is the oldest and most dangerous occupation as compared to other occupations. Agriculture is the major national economic contributor for under-developed nations such as India, Brazil, and South Korea. It was estimated that nearly half of the world labor force involved in agricultural activities. An attempt was undertaken to assess the environmental parameters and occupational health hazards in the view point of environmental conditions in post harvest activities. Three blocks were selected randomly from Jorhat sub-division. Two villages from each block were selected randomly and there by all together six villages and 300 farm women were selected proportionately. Both interview and experimental method was considered for collection of data. Personal and demographic characteristics of the respondents showed that 82 per cent belonged to marginal farmers having 1 acre of land. As regards to age of the respondents, 88 per cent falls in the age group of 30-40 years. The mean temperature was found to be 22°C and mean relative humidity (RH) was observed to be 49 per cent. The lighting condition revealed that the illuminance level were ranges from 21 lux to 95 lux. It was found that mean noise level was 110 db which was more than the permissible limit. Hazards faced by farm women in post harvest activities due to the environmental factors are pain or cramps, indigestion, eye strain, watering of eyes, blurred vision or vision problem, loss of hearing capacity, temporary deafness, headaches and faintness due to working under cold, humid, noisy and inadequate lighting conditions. It was apparent that 63 per cent respondents were belonged to ‘high’ incidence of environmental hazards during the performance of post harvest activities. The angles of average flexion was highest in upper arm (90.62) and extension was in thoracic and it was observed 115.30°indicating deviation of body parts.

Association between aircraft noise levels and deprivation

There is limited evidence on socioeconomic distribution of noise exposure. Noise data (Lden, Laeq24, Lnight, Levening, and Lday) were available for London Heathrow airport for 2014-18. These were linked with different measures of deprivation: the Carstairs deprivation index (UK Census-derived), fuel poverty rate and the avoidable death rate. Using Carstairs, mean noise levels were slightly higher in more deprived areas for most noise metrics, especially for Lnight (~2dB between least and most deprived Carstairs quintiles). However, Leve had slightly lower mean noise levels in the most deprived quintile (~0.5dB difference). A clear pattern of higher mean noise levels with deprivation was seen using avoidable death rates (~4dB difference between lowest and highest quintile for Lnight). Conversely, mean noise levels were slightly lower in more deprived quintiles of fuel poverty. Differences have been further quantified using a random-effects model, accounting for year. Heathrow airport is situated close to highly populated areas, some of which are very wealthy, so may not be representative of other airports. Results will be discussed with community groups near Heathrow prior to Internoise 2022. As air transport increases post-pandemic, information on noise exposures as well as views from community groups can inform future airport policies

Noise pollution prediction and seasonal comparison in urban parks using a coupled GIS- artificial neural network model.

Noise pollution is a challenging environmental issue in densely built urban areas and requires a holistic understanding of its sources and alleviation processes. Taking Isfahan City in Iran as a typical case, this study developed a combined GIS-artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the spatio-temporal contribution of low-width parks to poise pollution mitigation. The 30-min equivalent sound level was measured at 100 stations in six urban parks (with a total area of 55.84ha) under stable and controlled winter and summer conditions. The noise level predicting variables were hypothesized to be the area of vegetation cover; NDVI-based vegetation density and standard deviation (std); vegetation height; and road coverage measured within 100-, 200-, and 300-m radius buffer rings drown around each noise sampling station. These predictors were introduced to a multi-layer perceptron ANN model to identify and compare the most important noise alleviation variables among the selected predictors. The mean noise levels ranged from 67.23 to 70.57dB. The number of vehicles showed an insignificant temporal difference, indicating that the noise source was relatively constant between the seasons. The ANN model performed satisfactorily in both seasons with SSE values of < 0.03. The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference in the predicted noise levels between summer and winter. This study highlighted the efficiency of the combined GIS-ANN model in predicting distant-dependent urban processes, especially noise pollution whose levels and variability are essential in formulating urban land-use management.

Noise exposure in healthcare workers

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of noise in hospitals on healthcare workers, to develop recommendations for reducing noise in hospitals and to show why healthcare workers should be protected from noise exposure in hospitals. The study included a total of 80 healthcare workers from different units of the hospital who volunteered to participate. Two participants were excluded for sensorineural hearing loss and the results of 78 respondents were analyzed. Participants were evaluated using a questionnaire created by the researchers. Noise in different units of the hospital was measured during daytime working hours using the Sound Level Meter application with an iPhone 13® smartphone. Measurements yielded a mean noise level of 37.62 dBA (a minimum of 24.21 dBA to a maximum of 67.31 dBA). On occasions, noise levels in the hospital were as high as 74 dBA. Healthcare staff included in the study usually complained of moderate levels of noise and reported noise affected their performance. High levels of noise in hospitals negatively affect healthcare workers’ performance. Healthcare workers’ awareness about the impact of noise exposure in hospitals should be increased through in-service training programs. Improving noise levels in hospitals and implementing noise reduction interventions can help increase healthcare workers’ performance and eliminate the negative impacts of noise exposure to the inner ear.

Passive Acoustic Tools Aid Analysis of Sand-Screen Completion

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 209030, “Complete Analysis of a Complex Sand-Screen Completion in a Single Run in Hole is Enabled by Combination of Novel Passive Acoustic Tools With Conventional PLT and Caliper Techniques,” by Duncan Troup, SPE, Archer. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ Wells with sand-control measures may still exhibit the onset of sanding during production, often because of isolated damage to individual screen sections. Positive identification of sand-production location allows targeted mitigation while retaining as much hydrocarbon flow as possible. The complete paper discusses novel acoustic techniques used to identify productive zones and areas of sand production in a well with a sanding event. Digital Signal Processing Most modern tools will perform one or two fast Fourier transforms per second, but the tool design presented in the paper has a very fast sampling rate and completes 220 transforms per second. This allows the output frequency information to be further sampled in statistically meaningful ways to provide three additional noise parameters. The time-filtered noise level is the general, steady-state noise amplitude with outliers removed and generally is used for leak and flow detection. The mean noise level is composed of all data samples and is an indication of the total acoustic energy present. The third parameter, the transient noise level, is an indication of time variability of the received signal and is sensitive to short-lived transient acoustic signals. It is this parameter that is of the most interest in the detection of sand impact, because, by its nature, a sand strike is a transient event. The data generated can be displayed as a variable density log of frequency response against time or logging depth, with the amplitude of each frequency band represented by a color map, and a total noise energy curve may be derived over any frequency range desired. To test the suitability of the signal processing for viable sand discrimination, the background flow noise was increased every 2 minutes and sand particles were drizzled onto the sensor plate for 1 minute of each flow period. When no background flow noise existed, the sand-impact noise shows up well. When flow noise is introduced, the baseline of the noise energy curve is shifted higher but good contrast with the sand signal remains. A further test placed a tool inside a water-filled 5-in. liner section and a stream of water was directed against it (Fig. 1). The rate of water flow was controlled, and sand was introduced at known mass rates up to 1.17 gal/min. The results were plotted as noise energy against fluid velocity for each of the sand mass flow rates. Good correlation exists between the rates of both liquid and sand rates and total energy, and good correlation exists for liquid and sand flow rates. At low liquid flow rate, better discrimination between the rates of sand in the flow is observed, indicating that the full bandwidth transient parameter will provide better resolution when sand and fluid flow rates are low.

Effect of occupational exposure to welding fumes and noise on heart rate variability: An exposed-unexposed study on welders and airport workers' population.

IntroductionWelding fumes (WF) are a complex mixture of gas and particles. Action of occupational exposure to WF on cardiovascular system has been recently studied as for noise.Research questionThe main objectives of our study are therefore to evaluate the impact of exposure to WF, noise, and combined WF and noise on autonomic nervous system as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV).MethodsThe study groups were 16 welders and eight airport workers (as a control group). All the participants underwent ambulatory electrocardiogram, personal WF, and noise exposure monitoring, respectively, with dust track and calibrated noise dosimeter during workday. Atmospheric environmental assessments at workplaces have been also performed. HRV parameters were summarized for all the workday and hourly. Correlation tests were used to examine relation between HRV parameters and levels of noise exposure in the two population. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for mean of each HRV parameters.ResultsFor HRV parameters, we found significant higher levels for mean range of high frequency (HF), standard deviation of normal-to-normal R-R interval (SDNN), and root mean square of successive heartbeat interval difference (RMSSD) in welders which suggested an imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system in this population. For relation between noise and HRV parameters, we noted that levels of low frequency (LF), HF, and SDNN were significantly correlated with mean noise levels for welders (respectively, r = 0.62, r = 0.357, r = 0.48), not in control group. Using ANCOVA, we found that working as a welder significantly increases mean of HF (p = 0.01) and RMSSD (p = 0.02) and decreases in LF/HF (p = 0.008). Indeed, the interaction between exposure to WF and mean noise levels for HF (p = 0.005), LF/HF (p = 0.01), and RMSSD (p = 0.007) was significant.ConclusionThis study shows an impact of WF and noise on ANS balance. One hypothesis is WF exposure could increase sensibility to noise exposure on autonomic nervous system or there is a synergic effect.

Systematic selections and forensic application evaluations of 111 individual identification SNPs in the Chinese Inner Mongolia Manchu group.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) possesses a promising application in forensic individual identification due to its wide distribution in the human genome and the ability to carry out the genotyping of degraded biological samples by designing short amplicons. Some commonly used individual identification SNPs are less polymorphic in East Asian populations. In order to improve the individual identification efficiencies in East Asian populations, SNP genetic markers with relatively higher polymorphisms were selected from the 1,000 Genome Project phase III database in East Asian populations. A total of 111 individual identification SNPs (II-SNPs) with the observed heterozygosity values greater than 0.4 were screened in East Asian populations, and then, the forensic efficiencies of these selected SNPs were also evaluated in Chinese Inner Mongolia Manchu group. The observed heterozygosity and power of discrimination values at 111 II-SNPs in the Inner Mongolia Manchu group ranged from 0.4011 to 0.7005, and 0.5620 to 0.8025, respectively, and the average value of polymorphism information content was greater than 0.3978. The cumulative match probability and combined probability of exclusion values at II-SNPs were 7.447E-51 and 1-4.17E-12 in the Inner Mongolia Manchu group, respectively. The accumulative efficiency results indicated that the set of II-SNPs could be used as a potential tool for forensic individual identification and parentage testing in the Manchu group. The sequencing depths ranged from 781× to 12374×. And the mean allele count ratio and noise level were 0.8672 and 0.0041, respectively. The sequencing results indicated that the SNP genetic marker detection based on the massively parallel sequencing technology for SNP genetic markers had high sequencing performance and could meet the sequencing requirements of II-SNPs in the studied group.

Noise levels associated with urban land use types in Kigali, Rwanda

Noise pollution poses a serious threat to public health and continues to grow in extent, frequency, and severity due to the rapid population growth and urbanization, and this is of particular concern in developing countries such as Rwanda. However, data on noise pollution levels, noise laws and regulations are, however, lacking in Rwanda. We assessed the effect of land-use type during a two-month period at nine sites: three commercial sites, three passenger-car parking sites, two road junction sites, and one reference site (Car-Free Zone) in Rwanda. We collected data on noise pollution during weekdays (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) in the morning (7h00–10h00), around noon (11h00–14h00), and in the evening (15h00–18h00). The mean noise levels were higher during weekdays (60–80) A-weighted decibels (dB) (A)) than during weekends (50–70 dB (A)). We recorded the lowest noise level at Kigali car-free zone in the morning (34.4 dB (A)) and the highest noise level at Nyabugogo passenger-car parks in the evening (111.2dB (A)). Spatial variation of noise levels interpolated for Kigali City shows higher noise levels (hotspot) in the outskirts of Kigali, Remera and Kimironko. Noise levels recorded in Kigali exceeded the World Health Organization permissible daytime limits during both weekdays and weekends at all land-use types except the car-free zone site. Our results indicate that Kigali residents are exposed to high levels of noise, and urgent development of noise pollution monitoring programs and control measures in Rwanda is required.

Understanding Noise Exposure During Cast Removal: The Effect of Cast Saw Type and Casting Material.

Cast removal can be associated with considerable noise exposure, especially impacting the pediatric patient and provider. Although noise generation from cast saws has been deemed safe by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards, there are no current studies on the effects of cast material on noise levels generated. A simulated casting model utilizing plaster, fiberglass, and plaster with fiberglass overwrapping was used for experimental testing. Four different casting conditions were tested, with 5 samples in each group. Samples were tested using 2 different cast saws: a standard cast saw and a quiet saw. Each saw was used for 30 seconds of continuous cutting for each sample, measuring peak, mean, and minimum sound levels in decibels with sound level meters. Noise levels were measured at 18, 36, and 72 in (20, 91, and 183 cm) from the saw, comparing saw and cast types against ambient noise and baseline cast-saw noises. Between-group comparisons were performed using univariate analyses. Mean noise generation differed between casting materials, with plaster material demonstrating significantly greater noise levels than fiberglass casts at all distances for each saw type. Increasing fiberglass thickness significantly increased the mean noise levels with standard (18-in distance for 10 and 5 ply: 87.4 and 85.8 dB; p = 0.0004) and quiet cast saws (78.3 and 76.1 dB; p = 0.041. Additionally, the quiet cast saw provided a 5.7 to 10.6 dB reduction in mean and peak noise levels, varying by casting material and distance. Occupational noise exposure can be mitigated with the use of fiberglass casting material that is not >5 ply in thickness, with a quiet cast saw for removal. The use of a quiet cast saw substantially decreased noise exposure to patients and staff members over standard orthopaedic cast saws.

Subjective sleep quality among hospitalised adult patients: An observational, cross-sectional study

Background Inpatient sleep quality is influenced by multiple factors including medical conditions, use of medication and the ward environment. Without adequate rest, detrimental effects on patients’ physical and psychological performances may persist, inhibiting recovery and increasing length of stay. Objective This study examined the sleep quality of adult inpatients and its’ associations with sociodemographic, clinical and environmental factors. Methods An observational study was conducted in the medical wards of an acute care hospital in Singapore from July to December 2018. Patients completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to establish baseline sleeping habits and the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) to assess perception of sleep quality during hospitalisation. Noise levels were measured using the SL-4023SD sound level meter. Environmental factors affecting sleep were also recorded. Results 52 patients were recruited reported a mean RCSQ score of 5.83 (SD = 2.31) and mean Global PSQI score was 6.06 (SD = 3.33), indicative of poor baseline sleep. The highest mean noise level presented with an average reading of 80 dB, surpassing the WHO recommended noise levels by two times. Subjective sleep quality was not affected by demographic, clinical factors and bed locations. Patients exposed to night lamps reported a reduction in sleep quality ( p = .04). Conclusions Recognising the importance of overall sleep quality and the identification of external factors influencing patients’ sleep quality during hospitalisation is a vital step towards developing successful interventions to promote good sleep hygiene in the general wards of the Asian context.

The role of glimpses with different energy in speech-in-noise recognition.

Listeners can understand speech in noise by "glimpsing" some of the speech regions less affected by noise. This study investigates the contributions of those spectro-temporal regions, known as glimpses, at different energy levels to speech intelligibility in noise. Two listening experiments were conducted to examine the intelligibility of speech in different glimpse compositions in two types of noise. The results suggest that glimpsed spectro-temporal regions with energy above the mean noise level are the primary cue for speech perception in noise, and that listeners can use less-robust cues until at least 15 dB below the glimpsing threshold.

Investigation of environmental noise level status in Oshodi/ Isolo local government of Lagos State, Nigeria

Noise is a public nuisance which can result to adverse health effects. This work was carried out to investigate the environmental noise level status in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government of Lagos State, Nigeria. 10 different locations were selected in each of educational, industrial, traffic, commercial and residential areas which were coded EA – EJ, IA – IJ, TA – TJ, CA – CJ and RA – RJ respectively. All the chosen locations were coordinated using handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) for the purpose of universal identification. Noise level were measured in each of the selected locations using sound level meter (SLM) in the morning (7 – 9 a.m), afternoon (12 – 2 p.m) and evening (4 – 6 p.m). The results revealed that the noise level in educational areas ranged between 67.90 and 79.90 dB, between 50.70 and 72.30 dB and between 51.70 and 72.30 dB for morning, afternoon and evening respectively while the industrial areas varied between 70.20 and 77.40 dB, between 70.30 and 72.90 dB and between 70.20 and 76.40 dB for morning, afternoon and evening respectively. The noise level in traffic areas ranged between 70.80 and 90.30 dB, between 70.70 and 79.70 dB and between 67.50 and 77.90 dB for morning, afternoon and evening respectively while the commercial areas varied between 68.50 and 88.80 dB, between 73.20 and 78.90 dB and between 70.80 and 78.30 dB for morning, afternoon and evening respectively. The noise level for residential areas ranged between 68.77 and 77.20 dB, between 69.70 and 71.60 dB and between 68.20 and 72.20 dB for morning, afternoon and evening respectively. The threshold limits by National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for noise level in educational, residential, commercial, industrial and traffic areas are 45, 50, 55, 70 and 80 dB respectively while Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) threshold limits are 55, 70 and 90 dB for residential, commercial and industrial areas respectively. These indicated that the noise level in the investigated areas exceeded the NESREA and LASEPA standard limits for noise level. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that at 5 percent significant level, there was no statistical difference in the mean noise level in all the investigated areas. It was concluded that Oshodi/Isolo Local Government of Lagos State was polluted and the relevant authorities need to be proactive and take urgent steps to minimize the level of noise pollution in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government of Lagos State.

Operating Room Noise and Team Communication during Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Multicenter Study.

Operating room (OR) noise contributes to team miscommunication. In facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (FPRS), many cases are completed under sedation. This creates a unique environment wherein patients are aware of OR noise. The objectives of this study were to quantify noise and evaluate team members' perspectives on communication inside of FPRS ORs. This study was completed across three surgical institutions. Objective noise measurements were recorded with SoundMeter X. A communication questionnaire was delivered to OR team members following each case. Four hundred and twenty-three noise measurements were recorded during facelift/neck, eye/brow, rhinoplasty, and fat transfer/lip surgeries. The mean and maximum noise levels were 66.1 dB (dB) and 87.6 dB, respectively. Measurements during cases with general anesthetic (221/423, 52.2%) had higher noise measurements (70.3 dB) compared with those with sedation (202/423, 47.8%) (69.7 dB) (p = 0.04). The OR was louder with suction on (72.3 dB) versus off (69.3 dB) (p <0.00). Suction (34.5%) and music (22.4%) were the largest noise contributors according to questionnaire replies. Intraoperative noise, awake patients, and suctions/music may negatively impact FPRS OR communication. Innovation to improve FPRS intraoperative communication should be considered for effective patient care.