Short-term Noise Exposure Research Articles

Effects of noise exposure on stress hormone changes during task performance in young Korean men: quasi-experimental study

ABSTRACT Numerous studies have suggested that noise exposure might be associated with changes in stress hormone levels. However, quantitative evidence for these effects in humans is rare and remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of exposure to noise and its different levels on stress hormone changes in task performance. Quasi-experimental noise exposure environment was established for 90 male university student volunteers in their twenties, and each was exposed to different noise levels during task performance. The stress hormones tested included cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), adrenaline, and noradrenaline. A one-way ANOVA was performed to investigate differences in hormone levels measured in the three groups according to the noise exposure levels (35, 45, or 75 dB). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to adjust for confounding factors that might affect hormone levels. After adjusting for confounders, significant exposure-dependent differences were found in hormone levels in salivary cortisol, serum cortisol, serum ACTH, and serum adrenaline. The amount of hormonal increase in 75 dB exposure group compared to 35 or 45 dB groups was detected. Similar results were also seen in the rate of change analysis. Our findings indicate that short-term noise exposure during task performance elevates stress hormone levels. Further, the extent of stress hormone alterations varies with noise exposure levels. Changes in hormone levels are an objective measure that may be used to identify health effects and stress responses in various noise environments.

Obesity-related cardiometabolic indicators modify the associations of personal noise exposure with heart rate variability: A further investigation on the Study among Obese and Normal-weight Adults (SONA)

Elucidating the associations between environmental noise and heart rate variability (HRV) would be beneficial for the prevention and control of detrimental cardiovascular changes. Obese people have been found to manifest heightened susceptibility to the adverse effects of noise on HRV. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Based on 53 normal-weight and 44 obese young adults aged 18–26 years in Beijing, China, this study aimed to investigate the role of obesity-related cardiometabolic indicators for associations between short-term environmental noise exposure and HRV in the real-world context. The participants underwent personal noise exposure and ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring using portable devices at 5-min intervals for 24 continuous hours. Obesity-related blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammatory indicators were subsequently examined. Generalized mixed-effect models were used to estimate the associations between noise exposure and HRV parameters. The C-peptide, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and leptin levels were higher in obese participants compared to normal-weight participants. We observed amplified associations between short-term noise exposure and decreases in HRV among participants with higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels. For instance, a 1 dB(A) increment in 3 h-average noise exposure level preceding each measurement was associated with changes of −0.20% (95%CI: −0.45%, 0.04%) and −1.35% (95%CI: −1.85%, −0.86%) in standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals (SDNN) among participants with lower and higher C-peptide levels, respectively (P for interaction <0.05). Meanwhile, co-existing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) could amplify the associations between noise and HRV among obese participants and participants with higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels. The more apparent associations of short-term exposure to environmental noise with HRV and the effect modification by PM2.5 may be partially explained by the higher C-peptide, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels of obese people.

Noise effects on health in studies in Low-Middle-income-countries (LMICs): a mapping review update of epidemiological evidence

Background and Aim: Noise has been linked to adverse non-auditory health problems, including annoyance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disease, and impaired cognitive function. However, most studies on these topics have been conducted in developed countries. This review focussed on studies in Low-and Middle-income-countries (LMICs), where populations are exposed to relatively higher levels of noise Methods: We conducted a literature search of Medline and Web of Science from 2009-2021 for studies in LMICs investigating environmental noise ((including road traffic noise, railway noise, aircraft noise, community noise, wind turbine noise, etc.) effects on health (including annoyance, cardiovascular disease, mental health condition). Results: Fifty-six papers were included in the review. Thirty-four (60.7%) of the 56 studies assessed exposure based on fixed-site sound level meter, thirteen with noise mapping, six with subjective ratings, three with personal monitoring. The mean level of noise exposure among all the reviewed studies ranged from 36.6 dB to 121.2 Db. Twenty-two (39.3%) of the 56 studies looked at noise annoyance and perception and found, as with non-LMIC studies, higher noise levels are associated with higher annoyance. Eleven studies examined cardiovascular outcomes reported that short-term noise exposure may slightly increase blood pressure among children and long-term noise exposure was linked to higher prevalence of hypertension and coronary artery disease in adults. Studies on all other outcomes remain very limited which preclude a meaningful synthesis of the findings. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first review to summarize current evidence on the relationship between noise exposures and health outcomes in LMICs. This review provides critical and concise evidence on the knowledge gap to inform the future research agenda to help better understand noise pollution and human health in a global context. Keywords: Noise; Health; Low-and Middle-income-countries (LMICs)

The Effect of Short-Term Noise Exposure on Audiometric Thresholds, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions, and Electrocochleography.

Purpose The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of short-term noise exposure on audiometric thresholds, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and electrocochleography (ECochG) as a function of ear and sex. Method Preexposure and postexposure measures of audiometric thresholds, DPOAEs, and ECochG indices were examined. Sixteen male and 16 female adults participated. Participants were exposed to a 2000-Hz narrowband noise presented at 105 dBA for 10 min. Results Following noise exposure, significantly ( p < .0001) larger auditory threshold differences were observed for left ears. Larger auditory threshold differences were also observed for 3000 and 4000 Hz versus 2000 and 6000 Hz. DPOAE absolute amplitude differences increased with decreasing L 1, L 2 level ( p < .0001). DPOAE absolute amplitude differences also significantly rose with increasing f2 frequencies ( p < .0001). Females generally had larger DPOAE absolute amplitude differences than males ( p < .05). Summating potential amplitudes were significantly larger for female left ears following noise exposure ( p = .03). Left-ear summating potential/action potential amplitude ratios and summating potential/action potential area ratios were increased following noise exposure ( p < .05). Conclusions Utilizing a test battery to examine the effects of short-term noise exposure can reveal the functional status of different structures in the cochlea. There appears to be a susceptibility of the left ear to short-term loud noise exposure. Findings with respect to a sex susceptibility to short-term loud noise exposure were not strong, as sex differences were only observed for a subset of the conditions.

The correlation between hair and eye colour and contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions.

Genetics and environmental factors frequently influence individual’s susceptibility to hearing loss. It is postulated that melanin in the inner ear is related to individual’s susceptibility to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). General pigmentation in turn, suspected to be related to the amount of pigmentation in the inner ear. The amount of melanin in the inner ear is said to modulate the endocochlear potential and provide an otoprotective effect.Aim:The study aimed to determine the relationship between the contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions (CSOAE) in individuals with brown eyes and hair, and blue eyes and blond hair, and temporary emission shift (TES) after short-term noise exposure.Setting and Design:The research was conducted using a quantitative research design with a quasi-experimental repeated within the subject design to compare the CSOAE in subjects with different hair and eyes colour with TES after short-term noise exposure. Quantitative research was used to determine the relationship between the measurable variables to predict occurrence.Material and Method:The hearing sensitivity of young adults was determined by using pure tone audiometry followed by CSOAE’s and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) before listening to music for one hour individually. Pure tone audiometry and DPOAE’s were repeated after music exposure to determine the amount of TES and temporary threshold shift (TTS).Statistical Analysis used:One-way ANOVA was used during the analysis of the data obtained during this research study, in addition to, two-tailed Wilcoxon Sign Rank test and Friedman’s test. In all analyses, a 95% level of significance (P<0.05) was used.Results:No statistically significant difference between efferent suppression was measured by CSOAE’s between the participant groups. A larger TTS at 4000 Hz and TES at 2000 Hz was evident in the blue eyes and blond hair group after short-term music exposure. Conclusion: CSOAE’s were unable to predict which group of individuals were more susceptible to NIHL after short-term noise exposure.

단발성 소음 환경에서 온열 및 음향쾌적감이 실내환경 종합쾌적감에 미치는 영향

The purposes of this study are to investigate effects of thermal and acoustic comfort on overall indoor environmental comfort under time-varying short-term noise exposure, and to identify cross-modal perception between thermal and acoustic environments. Subjective assessment was conducted in an indoor environmental chamber with an environmental control system. Fifty four participants were exposed to three indoor temperatures (18, 24 and 30℃) and four levels of traffic noise (45, 50, 55 and 60dBA). Each traffic noise stimulus was presented for 25 seconds. Thermal comfort, acoustic comfort and overall indoor environmental comfort were evaluated in each combined environmental condition. Acoustic comfort affected indoor environmental comfort greater than thermal comfort with short-term noise exposure. At thermoneutrality, acoustic comfort increased. Gender difference was found only in acoustic comfort in the overall data analysis.

Experimental anthropogenic noise impacts avian parental behaviour, nestling growth and nestling oxidative stress

Human-produced noise, from transport, urbanization and industry, is widespread. Studies of noise pollution show a wide range of effects on birds, such as alterations in communication, parental behaviour, physiology and reproductive success. These human-induced changes are likely to have long-term impacts, such as altered nestling physiology and survival, as well as reduced local population size. Further experimental field studies that simultaneously investigate the effects of noise exposure on avian behaviour, physiology and reproductive success are needed. Here, we used an experimental field study to investigate impacts of short-term traffic noise exposure on parental behaviour (i.e. vigilance and feeding rate), nestling body size and oxidative stress (as measured by oxidative status) and nestling fledging success in tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor. Our results show negative consequences of traffic noise exposure, despite a relatively modest playback regime (6 h, every other day). Adults in noise-exposed territories were less vigilant earlier in the nestling period and fed at a higher rate later in the nestling period, compared to controls. However, increased feeding rate in noise-exposed nests did not compensate for noise impacts on nestlings: noise-exposed nestlings were smaller and had higher oxidative status, compared to control nestlings. Noise-exposed nestlings took longer to fledge, but we found no effect of noise on fledging success. These results highlight the potential long-term consequences of short-term noise exposure (decreased nestling size and increased oxidative status) and add to a growing body of literature, showing that noise pollution can negatively impact birds through both direct and indirect pathways.

Combined effects of short-term noise exposure and hygrothermal conditions on indoor environmental perceptions

Realistic thermal conditions with various humidity levels have been considered to examine the combined effects of noise and thermal conditions on indoor environmental perceptions. Subjective assessments of temperature, humidity and psychoacoustics were conducted with 26 subjects under combined environments of seven thermal conditions (18℃: RH 30, 60%, 24℃: RH 27, 43, 65%, 30℃: RH 30, 60%), two noise types (fan and babble noises) and five noise levels (45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 dBA). Three-minute moderate noise exposure did not affect temperature or humidity sensations. However, the temperature and humidity levels affected loudness, annoyance and acoustic preferences when noise was presented as babble. Fan noise perceptions were found to be independent of thermal conditions. Gender differences were clearly found in terms of thermal and psychoacoustic perceptions. Men were more sensitive to hot sensations than women, and women were more sensitive to arid sensations than men. Women were more sensitive to noise levels than men. Gender differences were also found in terms of different types of noise. Men were found to be significantly less sensitive to fan noise than women. Even though psychoacoustic parameters were affected by indoor thermal conditions, thermal parameters were not affected by short-term moderate noise. The combined effect of various types of noise and temperature is still unclear, and this will be considered in a future larger cohort study.

N-乙酰半胱氨酸对短期噪声暴露引起豚鼠听力损伤的保护作用

N-乙酰半胱氨酸对短期噪声暴露引起豚鼠听力损伤的保护作用

Time Course Changes in Selected Biochemical Stress Indices in Broilers Exposed to Short-term Noise

Time course changes in selected biochemical stress indices (corticosterone, triglycerides, glucose, cholesterol) following short-term noise exposure at 100 dB for 28 min were studied in broilers aged 42 days. Corticosterone concentrations were found to increase during the first 10 min of noise exposure and to differ significantly from the control (background sound – 50 dB) at Time 10 min and 14 min, then decreased continually and at 28 min returned to the initial prestress value. Triglyceride concentrations increased in broilers exposed to 100 dB noise during the first 12 min with a significant difference from the control at 12 min and 14 min. Glucose concentrations were higher due to 100 dB noise exposure for almost the entire period monitored, with significant differences between 100 dB and control broilers at 6 min and from 10 min to 14 min. Similarly as for the corticosterone concentration, a drop in triglycerides and glucose concentrations was seen approximately from Time 14 min and a return to the pre-stress value at 28 min. The cholesterol concentrations showed various temporal patterns with no significant difference between 100 dB and control broilers in this experiment. The pattern of response found in the study indicates that 100 dB noise represents a stress factor in broilers, however, there is the ability of broilers to adapt to an increased level of noise at this intensity after the first 14 min of exposure. The findings obtained in the study may contribute to expanding detailed knowledge of physiological stress responses to this specific noise stimulus in poultry, and could thereby be used to improve the welfare of broilers in intensive housing systems.

Physiological and Morphological Assessment of the Saccule in Guinea Pigs After Noise Exposure

To investigate whether the saccule exhibits temporary or permanent functional loss resembling threshold shifts in auditory brainstem response (ABR) of guinea pigs following noise exposure. Randomly bred guinea pigs were divided into 3 groups: A (short-term noise exposure, 30 minutes, n = 15), B (long-term noise exposure, 40 hours, n = 9), and C (no noise exposure, n = 5). University hospital. All animals underwent vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and ABR tests. Chronological changes of VEMP and ABR responses following noise exposure were analyzed and compared. After audiovestibular function testing, animals were killed for morphological study with light and electron microscopy. In group A, temporary VEMP loss and ABR threshold shifts recovered 2 and 4 days, respectively, after short-term noise exposure, with an interval of 2 days earlier in the recovery of VEMPs than that of ABR thresholds. In contrast, in group B, 78% and 83% of the ears exhibited permanent VEMP loss and ABR threshold shifts, respectively, 10 days following long-term noise exposure. In group C, all animals showed normal VEMPs and ABRs throughout the study period. Light and electron microscopic studies confirmed that loss of VEMPs correlated with saccular lesion. The saccule can exhibit temporary or permanent functional loss resembling hearing threshold shifts in guinea pigs following noise exposure. Recovery of VEMP precedes restoration of hearing threshold after damage from short-term noise exposure. Conversely, permanent VEMP loss after long-term noise exposure may reflect permanent hearing threshold shifts.

Evaluation of the Stress of the Short-term Noise Exposure in Goats and Rats

Evaluation of the Stress of the Short-term Noise Exposure in Goats and Rats

교통소음의 모노럴과 바이노럴 청감 비교 연구 II: 성가심

This paper continues companion paper, part I : measurement and analysis. As shown in companion Paper, information and energy in monaural signal is quite different from that of binaural signal. In this paper, difference between monaural and binaural signal of transportation noise are investigated in subjective response test. We executed hearing screening test before giving a subject response test and excluded subjects who had physical hearing loss. An annoyance response test was conducted using headphone to avoid cross-talk effect in binaural testing. Percentage of highly annoyed under binaural signal reproduction is higher than percentage of highly annoyed under monaural signal reproduction. Result implies binaural reproduction technique is proper for a study of human response to short-term noise exposure in a headphone simulated-environment.

Hemodynamic effects of short-term noise exposure--comparison of steady state and intermittent noise at several sound pressure levels.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the extent of blood pressure elevation during noise exposure, to elucidate the underlying hemodynamic mechanisms and to assess baroreceptor cardiac reflex sensitivity in connection with blood pressure elevation. Twenty-two young normotensive males participated in the experiment and underwent six noise exposure conditions of 20 min each: steady state and intermittent pink noises of 80 dB (sound pressure level (SPL)), 90 dB (SPL) and 100 dB (SPL). The results indicate that elevations in mean arterial pressure, as well as diastolic and systolic blood pressure, were significant or almost significant in the intermittent 100 dB (SPL) and 90 dB (SPL) conditions. Habituation occurred particularly with the steady state noises. In at least the intermittent 100 dB (SPL) condition, an increase in peripheral vascular resistance was the underlying hemodynamic mechanism of blood pressure elevation. Decreases in cardiac output and stroke volume were also associated with the peripheral vasoconstriction. Baroreceptor reflex sensitivity was maintained near the baseline level for all of the noise exposure conditions. Therefore, reflex sensitivity may not have been suppressed even in the intermittent 100 dB (SPL) condition during which blood pressure elevations occurred.

Inhibition of myosin light-chain kinase activity in the organ of Corti by 0.3-5 kilodalton substances of the otosclerotic perilymph.

The guinea pig organ of Corti contains myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) activity. The upper and lower most parts of the cochlea do not show significantly different activities of the enzyme, which is Ca2+ and calmodulin-dependent. Short-term noise exposure does not cause a significant change. 0.3-5 Kilodalton substances of the otosclerotic perilymph, separated by SG-25 column chromatography, inhibit the MLCK activity in in vitro organ of Corti preparations. This inhibitory action of the perilymph substances can also be observed with the purified MLCK of turkey gizzard. The activity of the enzyme can be specifically inhibited by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.