Preface: New Solutions Mitigating Environmental Noise Pollution

A Comprehensive Review of Auditory and Non-Auditory Effects of Noise on Human Health

OBJECTIVE

Excessive noise is unpleasant and induces several physiological and psychological effects. Noise pollution is a potential threat to humans, particularly those continuously exposed for extended periods throughout the day over many years. This review aims to examine the various auditory and non-auditory outcomes associated with prolonged exposure to noise pollution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The review utilized a combination of relevant keywords to search the electronic databases. After screening based on the applied selection criteria for title, abstract, and full text, 44 articles were finally selected for critical review.

RESULTS

We identified and analyzed research findings related to noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disturbances along with non-auditory issues such as annoyance, cognitive impairments, and mental stress associated with cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, the existing studies were compared and collated to highlight the unique challenges and significance of noise pollution as a distinctive environmental concern and to explore the ongoing efforts in its research and prevention, including the early detection and potential reversal of noise-induced hearing loss.

CONCLUSION

The fundamental health consequences of noise pollution underscore the need for extensive research encompassing emerging noise sources and technologies to establish a health management system tailored to address noise-related health concerns and reduce noise exposure risk among populations. Finally, further research is warranted to ensure improved measurement of noise exposure and related health outcomes, especially in the context of occupational noise.

Effect of ambient noise on indoor environments in a health care facility in Oman

Hospital-noise levels can induce physiological responses and affect sleep quality, which could contribute to cardiovascular-related health problems. Till date, high-resolution hospital noise exposure assessment studies have not received much attention in Oman. This study aims at assessing sound pressure levels across hospital wards and intensive care unit (ICU) rooms to determine annoyance and potential health effects based on perception and risk estimates. An indoor exposure assessment using high precision noise sensors was conducted in a female medical ward (FMW), isolated ward (SLW), emergency ward (EMW), and intensive care unit (ICU) in a public hospital in Muscat city, Oman. Self-administered questionnaire was randomly distributed among respondents using both online and field survey approach to ascertain annoyance, health effects, and potential risks associated with exposure. The study found that 24-h noise levels (L_Aeq) ranged from 55.2 to 61.7 dB(A) in the hospital wards and ICU rooms, which exceeded WHO's hospital indoor rooms critical limit of 35 dB(A) by 58-76%. A total of 150 participants took part in the survey. Among the respondents, 53% reported moderate annoyance at the hospital wards, while 56% felt sensitivity to the noise levels. Noise annoyance was reported by the majority of the patients across the various wards and emergency rooms as causing slight annoyance (50%) and intermittent sleep disturbances (49%). The majority (73%) of the medical staff have complained that the current noise levels affect overall work performance (p = 0.004), while 70% of them have further complained of it as a cause of workplace distraction (p = 0.011). Logistic binary regression analysis has revealed that the complaint of noise sensitivity has a positive association with noise levels in VCW (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 0.92-2.58), and reported loss of concentration by the medical staff also associated with noise levels at the EMW (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 0.65-4.01). Quantitative risk estimates showed that both the percentages of highly annoyed (HA) persons (16%), and highly sleep-disturbed (HSD) persons (9%) were very high in FMW, while ICU was found to have the lowest risk. However, the greater number of the respondents (87%) believed that there are possibilities of mitigating (p < 0.001) the current noise levels.

Preparation of Industrial Noise Mapping and Improvement of Environmental Quality

Environmental noise control is necessary for human health and auditory comfort conditions. In this respect, it is required that industrial noise should be kept under control and healthy living spaces should be obtained in residential areas. This paper aims to explain industrial noise control at urban and building scales. In this study, the strategic noise mapping process related to industrial activities in a line with the Environmental Noise Directive (END) was clarified. Besides this, what type of factors are effective in the industrial noise mapping process were defined, and important basic parameters, which are essential in the industrial noise mapping, were detailed. The preparation of the industrial noise mapping process was explained in detail. It was mentioned that the regions exposed to excessive noise should be defined according to the strategic noise map and improvement plans should be performed. Improvement methods that reduce excessive noise in living spaces are clarified and it was explained how the improvement of environmental quality can be acquired. In this regard, this paper gives information on industrial noise mapping and industrial noise control at the urban scale.