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Bigras C, Theodoroff SM, Thielman EJ, Hébert S. Noise sensitivity or hyperacusis? Comparing the Weinstein and Khalfa questionnaires in a community and a clinical samples. Hear Res 2024; 445:108992. [PMID: 38492447 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.108992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Noise sensitivity and hyperacusis are decreased sound tolerance conditions that are not well delineated or defined. This paper presents the correlations and distributions of the Noise Sensitivity Scale (NSS) and the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ) scores in two distinct large samples. In Study 1, a community-based sample of young healthy adults (n = 103) exhibited a strong correlation (r = 0.74) between the two questionnaires. The mean NSS and HQ scores were 54.4 ± 16.9 and 12.5 ± 7.5, respectively. NSS scores displayed a normal distribution, whereas HQ scores showed a slight positive skew. In Study 2, a clinical sample of Veterans with or without clinical comorbidities (n = 95) showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.58) between the two questionnaires. The mean scores were 66.6 ± 15.6 and 15.3 ± 7.3 on the NSS and HQ, respectively. Both questionnaires' scores followed a normal distribution. In both samples, participants who self-identified as having decreased sound tolerance scored higher on both questionnaires. These findings provide reference data from two diverse sample groups. The moderate to strong correlations observed in both studies suggest a significant overlap between noise sensitivity and hyperacusis. The results underscore that NSS and HQ should not be used interchangeably, as they aim to measure distinct constructs, however to what extent they actually do remains to be determined. Further investigation should distinguish between these conditions through a comprehensive psychometric analysis of the questionnaires and a thorough exploration of psychoacoustic, neurological, and physiological differences that set them apart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Bigras
- School of Speech Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'Apprentissage (CIRCA), Québec, Canada
| | - Sarah M Theodoroff
- VA, National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Emily J Thielman
- VA, National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sylvie Hébert
- School of Speech Audiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'Apprentissage (CIRCA), Québec, Canada.
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Hölle D, Bleichner MG. Smartphone-based ear-electroencephalography to study sound processing in everyday life. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:3671-3685. [PMID: 37612776 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
In everyday life, people differ in their sound perception and thus sound processing. Some people may be distracted by construction noise, while others do not even notice. With smartphone-based mobile ear-electroencephalography (ear-EEG), we can measure and quantify sound processing in everyday life by analysing presented sounds and also naturally occurring ones. Twenty-four participants completed four controlled conditions in the lab (1 h) and one condition in the office (3 h). All conditions used the same paired-click stimuli. In the lab, participants listened to click tones under four different instructions: no task towards the sounds, reading a newspaper article, listening to an audio article or counting a rare deviant sound. In the office recording, participants followed daily activities while they were sporadically presented with clicks, without any further instruction. In the beyond-the-lab condition, in addition to the presented sounds, environmental sounds were recorded as acoustic features (i.e., loudness, power spectral density and sounds onsets). We found task-dependent differences in the auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) to the presented click sounds in all lab conditions, which underline that neural processes related to auditory attention can be differentiated with ear-EEG. In the beyond-the-lab condition, we found ERPs comparable to some of the lab conditions. The N1 amplitude to the click sounds beyond the lab was dependent on the background noise, probably due to energetic masking. Contrary to our expectation, we did not find a clear ERP in response to the environmental sounds. Overall, we showed that smartphone-based ear-EEG can be used to study sound processing of well defined-stimuli in everyday life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hölle
- Neurophysiology of Everyday Life Group, Department of Psychology, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Martin G Bleichner
- Neurophysiology of Everyday Life Group, Department of Psychology, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center for Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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Massonnié J, Frasseto P, Ng-Knight T, Gilligan-Lee K, Kirkham N, Mareschal D. Children’s Effortful Control Skills, but Not Their Prosocial Skills, Relate to Their Reactions to Classroom Noise. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148815. [PMID: 35886666 PMCID: PMC9324738 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Environmental noise is one of the main sources of pollution in today’s modern world. Health effects associated with noise depend on both environmental exposure and individuals’ noise sensitivity. However, still little is known as to why some children are more noise sensitive than others. Studies to date have focused on adult populations and have not considered both cognitive and personality factors when explaining noise sensitivity. The current research investigates individual differences in noise sensitivity among elementary school children, with the aim of shedding light on its underlying mechanisms. Study 1 (n = 112) validated a novel questionnaire assessing children’s reactions to classroom noise against two measures of noise sensitivity that are commonly used in adult populations. Study 2 (n = 237) investigated how children’s reactions to classroom noise covaried with their effortful control and prosocial skills, both measured through a teacher report. Prosocial skills were not related to children’s reactions to noise. However, children with lower effortful control skills reported more negative reactions to classroom noise. Given the importance of effortful control skills to succeed at school, children at risk of school difficulty might also be the ones who are particularly vulnerable to noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Massonnié
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK; (N.K.); (D.M.)
- School of Education and Sociology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St. George’s Building, 141 High Street, Portsmouth PO1 2HY, UK
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Terry Ng-Knight
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK; (T.N.-K.); (K.G.-L.)
| | - Katie Gilligan-Lee
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK; (T.N.-K.); (K.G.-L.)
| | - Natasha Kirkham
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK; (N.K.); (D.M.)
| | - Denis Mareschal
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK; (N.K.); (D.M.)
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Bigras C, Villatte B, Duda V, Hébert S. The electrophysiological markers of hyperacusis: a scoping review. Int J Audiol 2022:1-11. [PMID: 35549972 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2070083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hyperacusis is known as a reduced tolerance to sounds perceived as normal to the majority of the population. There is currently no agreed definition, diagnostic tool, or objective measure of its occurrence. The purpose of this review is to catalogue the research to date on the use of auditory evoked potentials (AEP) to assess hyperacusis. DESIGN A step-by-step methodology was conducted following guidelines. Four databases were searched. A total of 3343 papers were identified. A final yield of 35 articles were retained for analysis. RESULTS The analysis identified four types of aetiologies to describe the hyperacusic population in AEP studies; developmental disorders (n = 19), neurological disorders (n = 3), induced hearing damage (n = 8) and idiopathic aetiology (n = 5). Electrophysiological measures were of short (n = 16), middle (n = 13) and long (n = 19) latencies, believed to reflect the activity of the ascending and descending pathways of the auditory system from periphery to cortex. CONCLUSIONS The results of this review revealed the potential use of electrophysiological measures for further understanding the mechanisms of hyperacusis. However, according to the disparity of concepts to define hyperacusis, definitions and populations need to be clarified before biomarkers specific to hyperacusis can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Bigras
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Bérangère Villatte
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Victoria Duda
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation (CRIR), Montreal, Canada
| | - Sylvie Hébert
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
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Cai C, Xu Y, Wang Y, Wang Q, Liu L. Experimental Study on the Effect of Urban Road Traffic Noise on Heart Rate Variability of Noise-Sensitive People. Front Psychol 2022; 12:749224. [PMID: 35087444 PMCID: PMC8787123 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.749224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have confirmed that long-term exposure to road traffic noise can cause cardiovascular diseases (CDs), and when noise exposure reaches a certain level, the risk of related CDs significantly increases. Currently, a large number of Chinese residents are exposed to high noise exposure, which could greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, relevant studies have found that people with high noise sensitivity are more susceptible to noise. And it is necessary to pay more attention to the high noise-sensitive people. This study investigated the acute physiological effect of different noise-sensitive groups by indoor-level noise stimulus experiments under laboratory conditions, by observing heart rate variability (HRV) indicators, including standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF), and heart rate (HR). The results showed that (a) there was no significant difference in HRV between the high-sensitive group and the low-sensitive group at the physiological baseline and the different stimulating noise levels. (b) Then, based on the theory of cumulative effect of noise proposed by WHO Regional Office for Europe, non-significant but observable differences between groups were further discussed. By analyzing differences of the variation trends and the within-group significant changes of SDNN and HR between the two groups, the results tended to show that the high-sensitive group is more affected by road traffic noise. In addition, the values of SDNN and HR showed observable between-group differences at 55 dB (A) and 65 dB (A) which corresponding to the SPL associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease concerned by epidemiological studies. According to the cumulative effect theory (WHO), these differences in HRV caused by short-term noise stimulation may have the potential to produce physiological response and lead to between-groups differences in prevalence after long-term recurrent effect, and deserve attention and further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yan Wang
- School of Architecture, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin, China
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Shepherd D, Heinonen-Guzejev M, Heikkilä K, Landon J, Theadom A. Sensitivity to Noise Following a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Study. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2021; 36:E289-E301. [PMID: 33656468 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe changes in the prevalence and clinical correlates of noise sensitivity (NS) in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) across a 12-month period and to determine whether NS at an early stage of recovery has predictive value for later postconcussive symptoms. SETTING A mixed urban and rural region of New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS Data for 341 adults (201 males, 140 females; age range from 16 to 91 years) were extracted from a 1-year TBI incidence, and outcomes study was conducted in New Zealand. DESIGN Secondary analysis of data from a community-based, longitudinal population study of an mTBI incidence cohort collected within 1 week of injury (baseline) and at 1, 6, and 12 months postinjury. MAIN MEASURES Measures at baseline (within 2 weeks of the injury) and 1, 6, and 12 months included the Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire and its NS item, the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale, and the computerized CNS-Vital Signs neurocognitive test. RESULTS NS progressively declined postinjury, from 45% at baseline to 28% at 12 months. In turn, NS showed itself as a significant predictor of future postconcussive symptoms. CONCLUSION Taken together with previous research, the findings of the current study indicate that NS may have clinical utility in flagging vulnerability to persistent postconcussive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Shepherd
- Department of Psychology, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand (Drs Shepherd, Landon, and Theadom); and Department of Public Health, Hjelt Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Drs Heinonen-Guzejev and Heikkilä)
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Stansfeld S, Clark C, Smuk M, Gallacher J, Babisch W. Road traffic noise, noise sensitivity, noise annoyance, psychological and physical health and mortality. Environ Health 2021; 20:32. [PMID: 33766056 PMCID: PMC7995714 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00720-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both physical and psychological health outcomes have been associated with exposure to environmental noise. Noise sensitivity could have the same moderating effect on physical and psychological health outcomes related to environmental noise exposure as on annoyance but this has been little tested. METHODS A cohort of 2398 men between 45 and 59 years, the longitudinal Caerphilly Collaborative Heart Disease study, was established in 1984/88 and followed into the mid-1990s. Road traffic noise maps were assessed at baseline. Psychological ill-health was measured in phase 2 in 1984/88, phase 3 (1989/93) and phase 4 (1993/7). Ischaemic heart disease was measured in clinic at baseline and through hospital records and records of deaths during follow up. We examined the longitudinal associations between road traffic noise and ischaemic heart disease morbidity and mortality using Cox Proportional Hazard Models and psychological ill-health using Logistic Regression; we also examined whether noise sensitivity and noise annoyance might moderate these associations. We also tested if noise sensitivity and noise annoyance were longitudinal predictors of ischaemic heart disease morbidity and mortality and psychological ill-health. RESULTS Road traffic noise was not associated with ischaemic heart disease morbidity or mortality. Neither noise sensitivity nor noise annoyance moderated the effects of road traffic noise on ischaemic heart disease morbidity or mortality. High noise sensitivity was associated with lower ischaemic heart disease mortality risk (HR = 0.74, 95%CI 0.57, 0.97). Road traffic noise was associated with Phase 4 psychological ill-health but only among those exposed to 56-60dBA (fully adjusted OR = 1.82 95%CI 1.07, 3.07). Noise sensitivity moderated the association of road traffic noise exposure with psychological ill-health. High noise sensitivity was associated longitudinally with psychological ill-health at phase 3 (OR = 1.85 95%CI 1.23, 2.78) and phase 4 (OR = 1.65 95%CI 1.09, 2.50). Noise annoyance predicted psychological ill-health at phase 4 (OR = 2.47 95%CI 1.00, 6.13). CONCLUSIONS Noise sensitivity is a specific predictor of psychological ill-health and may be part of a wider construct of environmental susceptibility. Noise sensitivity may increase the risk of psychological ill-health when exposed to road traffic noise. Noise annoyance may be a mediator of the effects of road traffic noise on psychological ill-health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Stansfeld
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ UK
| | - Charlotte Clark
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ UK
- Present address: Population Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE UK
| | - Melanie Smuk
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ UK
- Present address: Medical Statistics Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - John Gallacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
| | - Wolfgang Babisch
- Umweltbundesamt, Institut für Wasser-Boden-und Lufthygiene, Corrensplatz 1, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
- Present address: Himbeersteig 37, 14129 Berlin, Germany
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Dzhambov AM, Lercher P, Stoyanov D, Petrova N, Novakov S, Dimitrova DD. University Students' Self-Rated Health in Relation to Perceived Acoustic Environment during the COVID-19 Home Quarantine. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2538. [PMID: 33806377 PMCID: PMC7967325 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online education became mandatory for many students during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and blurred the distinction between settings where processes of stress and restoration used to take place. The lockdown also likely changed perceptions of the indoor acoustic environment (i.e., soundscape) and raised its importance. In the present study, we seek to understand how indoor soundscape related to university students' self-rated health in Bulgaria around the time that the country was under a state of emergency declaration caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Between 17 May and 10 June 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 323 students (median age 21 years; 31% male) from two universities in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Self-rated health (SRH) was measured with a single-item. Participants were asked how frequently they heard different types of sounds while at home and how pleasant they considered each of those sounds to be. Restorative quality of the home (the "being away" dimension of the Perceived Restorativeness Scale) was measured with a single-item. A priori confounders and effect modifiers included sociodemographics, house-related characteristics, general sensitivity to environmental influences, and mental health. Our analysis strategy involved sequential exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multivariate linear and ordinal regressions, effect modification tests, and structural equation modeling (SEM). RESULTS EFA supported grouping perceived sounds into three distinct factors-mechanical, human, and nature sounds. Regression analyses revealed that greater exposure to mechanical sounds was consistently associated with worse SRH, whereas no significant associations were found for human and nature sounds. In SEM, exposure to mechanical sounds related to lower restorative quality of the home, and then to poorer SRH, whereas nature sounds correlated with higher restorative quality, and in turn with better SRH. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a role of positive indoor soundscape and restorative quality for promoting self-rated health in times of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M. Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Drozdstoy Stoyanov
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
- Research Institute at Medical University—Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Nadezhda Petrova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Stoyan Novakov
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Donka D. Dimitrova
- Department of Health Management and Healthcare Economics, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
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Dzhambov AM, Lercher P, Stoyanov D, Petrova N, Novakov S, Dimitrova DD. University Students' Self-Rated Health in Relation to Perceived Acoustic Environment during the COVID-19 Home Quarantine. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052538. [PMID: 33806377 DOI: 10.3390/20ijerph18052538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online education became mandatory for many students during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and blurred the distinction between settings where processes of stress and restoration used to take place. The lockdown also likely changed perceptions of the indoor acoustic environment (i.e., soundscape) and raised its importance. In the present study, we seek to understand how indoor soundscape related to university students' self-rated health in Bulgaria around the time that the country was under a state of emergency declaration caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Between 17 May and 10 June 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 323 students (median age 21 years; 31% male) from two universities in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Self-rated health (SRH) was measured with a single-item. Participants were asked how frequently they heard different types of sounds while at home and how pleasant they considered each of those sounds to be. Restorative quality of the home (the "being away" dimension of the Perceived Restorativeness Scale) was measured with a single-item. A priori confounders and effect modifiers included sociodemographics, house-related characteristics, general sensitivity to environmental influences, and mental health. Our analysis strategy involved sequential exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multivariate linear and ordinal regressions, effect modification tests, and structural equation modeling (SEM). RESULTS EFA supported grouping perceived sounds into three distinct factors-mechanical, human, and nature sounds. Regression analyses revealed that greater exposure to mechanical sounds was consistently associated with worse SRH, whereas no significant associations were found for human and nature sounds. In SEM, exposure to mechanical sounds related to lower restorative quality of the home, and then to poorer SRH, whereas nature sounds correlated with higher restorative quality, and in turn with better SRH. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a role of positive indoor soundscape and restorative quality for promoting self-rated health in times of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Drozdstoy Stoyanov
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Nadezhda Petrova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Stoyan Novakov
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Donka D Dimitrova
- Department of Health Management and Healthcare Economics, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Dzhambov AM, Tilov B, Makakova-Tilova D, Dimitrova DD. Pathways and contingencies linking road traffic noise to annoyance, noise sensitivity, and mental Ill-Health. Noise Health 2020; 21:248-257. [PMID: 32978362 PMCID: PMC7986452 DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_15_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Context: Traffic noise may contribute to depression and anxiety through higher noise annoyance (NA). However, little is known about noise sensitivity (NS) and mental health status as contextual factors. Objective: We tested three hypotheses: (1) Traffic noise is associated with mental ill-health through higher NA; (2) Mental ill-health and NS moderate the association between traffic noise and NA; and (3) NS moderates the indirect effect of traffic noise on mental ill-health. Subjects and Methods: We used a convenience sample of 437 undergraduate students from the Medical University in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (mean age 21 years; 35% male). Residential road traffic noise (LAeq; day equivalent noise level) was calculated using a land use regression model. Depression and anxiety symptoms were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, respectively. NA was measured using a 5-point verbal scale. The Noise Sensitivity Scale Short Form (NSS-SF) was used to measure NS. To investigate how these variables intertwine, we conducted mediation, moderation and moderated mediation analyses. Results: LAeq was indirectly associated with higher PHQ-9/GAD-7 scores through higher NA, but only in the low NS group. The relationship between LAeq and NA was stronger in students reporting depression/anxiety. While high NS was associated with high NA even at low noise levels, LAeq contributed to NA only in students low on NS. Conclusions: We found complex conditional relationships between traffic noise, annoyance and mental ill-health. Understanding respective vulnerability profiles within the community could aid noise policy and increase efficacy of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene and Ecomedicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Boris Tilov
- Medical College, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv; Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Agribusiness and Rural Development, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Desislava Makakova-Tilova
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Donka D Dimitrova
- Department of Health Management and Healthcare Economics, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Shepherd D, Lodhia V, Hautus MJ. Electrophysiological indices of amplitude modulated sounds and sensitivity to noise. Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 139:59-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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12
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Shepherd D, Landon J, Kalloor M, Theadom A. Clinical correlates of noise sensitivity in patients with acute TBI. Brain Inj 2019; 33:1050-1058. [PMID: 31007081 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2019.1606443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Primary objective: The impact of noise sensitivity (NS) on the daily functioning of people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is an understudied area, particularly following mTBI. The primary objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate clinical markers of NS in a sample of New Zealand adults following mTBI. Research design: Cross-sectional study. Methods and procedures: A community-based sample of 151 adults who had experienced a brain injury in the last two weeks completed assessments estimating cognitive functioning, postconcussion symptoms (including NS), and affective state. Results: Over half the sample (59%) reported some degree of NS. Exploratory statistical analyses indicated that NS was associated with being female, living in a rural area, number of previous brain injuries, cognitive flexibility scores, reaction time, perceptions of recovery, anxiety, and depression. Regression analyses revealed that anxiety was the dominant correlate of NS (B = .120, p < .001, 95% CI [0.069, 1.71]). Conclusions: As the first study to explore the correlates of NS following mild TBI, the findings have important clinical and research implications. The present findings suggest that treatment approaches targeting anxiety may be effective in reducing NS in people who have experienced a brain injury. Moreover, evidence is presented suggesting that NS is unlikely to reflect malingering, and should be treated as a genuine somatic symptom of brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Shepherd
- a Department of Psychology , Auckland University of Technology , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Jason Landon
- a Department of Psychology , Auckland University of Technology , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Mathew Kalloor
- a Department of Psychology , Auckland University of Technology , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Alice Theadom
- a Department of Psychology , Auckland University of Technology , Auckland , New Zealand
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Psychophysiological measurement of affective responses during speech perception. Hear Res 2018; 369:103-119. [PMID: 30135023 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
When people make decisions about listening, such as whether to continue attending to a particular conversation or whether to wear their hearing aids to a particular restaurant, they do so on the basis of more than just their estimated performance. Recent research has highlighted the vital role of more subjective qualities such as effort, motivation, and fatigue. Here, we argue that the importance of these factors is largely mediated by a listener's emotional response to the listening challenge, and suggest that emotional responses to communication challenges may provide a crucial link between day-to-day communication stress and long-term health. We start by introducing some basic concepts from the study of emotion and affect. We then develop a conceptual framework to guide future research on this topic through examination of a variety of autonomic and peripheral physiological responses that have been employed to investigate both cognitive and affective phenomena related to challenging communication. We conclude by suggesting the need for further investigation of the links between communication difficulties, emotional response, and long-term health, and make some recommendations intended to guide future research on affective psychophysiology in speech communication.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review investigates the relationship between sensory sensitivity and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the role sensory sensitivity plays in chronic disability. RECENT FINDINGS TBI is a significant cause of disability with a range of physical, cognitive, and mental health consequences. Sensory sensitivities (e.g., noise and light) are among the most frequently reported, yet least outwardly recognizable symptoms following TBI. Clinicians and scientists alike have yet to identify consistent nomenclature for defining noise and light sensitivity, making it difficult to accurately and reliably assess their influence. Noise and light sensitivity can profoundly affect critical aspects of independent function including communication, productivity, socialization, cognition, sleep, and mental health. Research examining the prevalence of sensory sensitivity and evidence for the association of sensory sensitivity with TBI is inconclusive. Evidence-based interventions for sensory sensitivity, particularly following TBI, are lacking.
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Aazh H, Knipper M, Danesh AA, Cavanna AE, Andersson L, Paulin J, Schecklmann M, Heinonen-Guzejev M, Moore BC. Insights from the third international conference on hyperacusis: causes, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Noise Health 2018; 20:162-170. [PMID: 30136676 PMCID: PMC6122267 DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_2_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperacusis is intolerance of certain everyday sounds that causes significant distress and impairment in social, occupational, recreational, and other day-to-day activities. OBJECTIVE The aim of this report is to summarize the key findings and conclusions from the Third International Conference on Hyperacusis. TOPICS COVERED The main topics discussed comprise (1) diagnosis of hyperacusis and audiological evaluations, (2) neurobiological aspect of hyperacusis, (3) misophonia, (4) hyperacusis in autism spectrum disorder, (5) noise sensitivity, (6) hyperacusis-related distress and comorbid psychiatric illness, and (7) audiologist-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for hyperacusis. CONCLUSIONS Implications for research and clinical practice are summarised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hashir Aazh
- Audiology Department, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK
| | - Marlies Knipper
- Department of Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Hearing Research Institute Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ali A. Danesh
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - Andrea E. Cavanna
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, National Centre for Mental Health, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Johan Paulin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Martin Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Brian C.J. Moore
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Kliuchko M, Heinonen-Guzejev M, Vuust P, Tervaniemi M, Brattico E. A window into the brain mechanisms associated with noise sensitivity. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39236. [PMID: 27976708 PMCID: PMC5157031 DOI: 10.1038/srep39236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Noise sensitive individuals are more likely to experience negative emotions from unwanted sounds and they show greater susceptibility to adverse effects of noise on health. Noise sensitivity does not originate from dysfunctions of the peripheral auditory system, and it is thus far unknown whether and how it relates to abnormalities of auditory processing in the central nervous system. We conducted a combined electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography (M/EEG) study to measure neural sound feature processing in the central auditory system in relation to the individual noise sensitivity. Our results show that high noise sensitivity is associated with altered sound feature encoding and attenuated discrimination of sound noisiness in the auditory cortex. This finding makes a step towards objective measures of noise sensitivity instead of self-evaluation questionnaires and the development of strategies to prevent negative effects of noise on the susceptible population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Kliuchko
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
- BioMag Laboratory, HUS Medical Imaging Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, FI-00029, Finland
| | | | - Peter Vuust
- Center for Music in the Brain (MIB), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Mari Tervaniemi
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
- Cicero Learning, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Elvira Brattico
- Center for Music in the Brain (MIB), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DK-8000, Denmark
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The Role of Soundscape in Nature-Based Rehabilitation: A Patient Perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13121229. [PMID: 27973437 PMCID: PMC5201370 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13121229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nature-based rehabilitation (NBR) has convincing support in research, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The present study sought to increase understanding of the role of soundscapes in NBR, an aspect paid little attention thus far. Transcribed interviews with 59 patients suffering from stress-related mental disorders and undergoing a 12-week therapy programme in the rehabilitation garden in Alnarp, Sweden, were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis (IPA). Described sounds were categorised as natural, technological or human. The results showed that patients frequently referred to natural sounds as being part of a pleasant and “quiet” experience that supported recovery and induced “soft fascination”. Technological sounds were experienced as disturbing, while perception of human sounds varied depending on loudness and the social context. The study further uncovered how sound influenced patients’ behaviour and experiences in the garden, through examination of three cross-theme dimensions that materialised in the study; sound in relation to overall perception, sound in relation to garden usage, and increased susceptibility to sound. The findings are discussed in relation to NBR; the need for a more nuanced understanding of susceptibility to sound among people suffering from mental fatigue was identified and design considerations for future rehabilitation gardens were formulated.
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