Noise and quality of life

Retrospective Study on the Value of Intensive Care Unit Noise Reduction Management in Elderly Patients with Chronic Renal Failure in the Uremic Phase

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the value of noise reduction management in the intensive care unit (ICU) in elderly patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) in the uremic phase.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted, including 150 elderly patients with CRF in the uremic phase, who were treated in the ICU ward at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 2021 and August 2023. Among them, 73 were in the control group (routine ICU management), and 77 were in the observation group (routine ICU management + ICU noise reduction management). Anxiety, depression, sleep treatment, quality of life, blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and cortisol (COR) levels were compared between the two groups at baseline and 10 days after admission to the ICU.

RESULTS

There was no statistical significance in the comparison of baseline data between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). At 10 days, the sleep quality of patients in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Anxiety levels, as well as blood pressure, HR, and COR levels, were significantly lower (P < 0.05), whereas the quality of life was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ICU noise reduction management can effectively improve the sleep quality and quality of life of elderly patients with CRF in the uremic phase.

A Feedback Active Control Approach to Road Noise Based on a Single Microphone Sensor to Improve Automotive Cabin Sound Comfort

Tire-road noise deteriorates the sound quality of a vehicle's interior and affects the driving safety and comfort. Obtaining low interior noise is a challenge for passenger car manufacturers. Traditional passive noise control (PNC) is efficient for canceling high frequency noise but not useful for low frequency noise, while active noise control (ANC), according to the residual error signal, can generate an anti-noise signal to reduce the original noise. Most research has focused on improving the control effect for a feedforward ANC system. However, this paper emphasizes a feedback ANC system based on a signal microphone sensor. There are two main contributions in this study to improve automotive cabin sound comfort. One is that the algorithm of the feedback ANC system using a single microphone sensor without a reference noise signal is proposed based on the Filtered-x Least Mean Square method. The other is that the algorithm applies additive random noise online to estimate the secondary path model. A simulation was implemented based on measured real road noise data, and the simulation results indicate that the proposed feedback ANC system with the single microphone sensor can effectively attenuate road noise. This study shows the feasibility of applying a feedback ANC system in automobiles to increase the cabin sound quality.

Dose-response associations of maternal prenatal noise exposure duration with antepartum depression status

BACKGROUND

Antepartum depression has been reported to be associated with the intensity of maternal prenatal noise exposure; however, the association between noise exposure duration and the development of antepartum depression has not been established. This study aimed to determine the total and trimester-specific association of prenatal noise exposure duration with the development of antepartum depression.

METHODS

From May 2018 to June 2021, we recruited 2,166 pregnant women from Shengjing Hospital, northeast China. We used a standardized questionnaire to assess women's prenatal noise exposure and used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to assess pregnant women's antepartum depression during the 1st -, 2nd -, and 3rd - trimesters. We calculated a cumulative noise exposure score ranging from 0 to 3, with a higher score reflecting higher frequency and longer duration of noise exposure during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Women who were exposed to noise for ≥ 15 min per day had an increased risk of antepartum depression compared with women who were not exposed to noise during pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) = 1.83, 95%CI:1.18, 2.83]. Noise exposure in a specific trimester was associated with higher risk of depression in the same trimester and subsequent trimesters. We observed increases in antepartum depression risk with increasing cumulative noise exposure scores (P for trend < 0.05 for all). Pregnant women with the highest scores had the highest risk of antepartum depression during the first (OR = 1.30, 95%CI:1.02, 1.65), second (OR = 1.75, 95%CI:1.23, 2.50) trimesters. Women with a cumulative noise exposure score of 2 had the highest risk of antepartum depression during the third trimester (OR = 1.79, 95%CI:1.14, 2.80), as well as during the whole pregnancy (OR = 1.94, 95%CI:1.14, 3.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal prenatal noise exposure duration was positively associated with antepartum depression risk in a dose-response manner. It is necessary to develop strategies by which pregnant women can avoid excessive exposure to noise to prevent antepartum depression.

Association between Occupational Noise Exposure and Insomnia among Night-Shift Production Workers: A 4-Year Follow-up Study

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether occupational noise exposure is a risk factor for insomnia among male night-shift production workers.

Methods

This study followed 623 male night-shift production workers at a tire manufacturing factory without insomnia for 4 years. Insomnia was evaluated based on the insomnia severity index at baseline and at 4-year follow-up. A score of ≥15 was defined as insomnia. The higher occupational noise exposure group was defined as those individuals exposed to 8-hour time-weighted-average noise above 80 dB (A).

Results

Participants' mean age was 46.3 ± 5.6 years. Of the 623 participants, 362 (58.1%) were in the higher occupational noise exposure group. At 4-year follow-up, insomnia occurred in 3.2% (n = 20) of the participants. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of insomnia was 3.36 (95% confidence interval 1.083-10.405, P = 0.036) in the higher occupational noise exposure group when compared with the lower noise exposure group after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that occupational noise exposure affected insomnia in male night-shift production workers. To prevent insomnia, efforts are required to reduce workplace noise exposure levels. Alternatively, moving to a less noisy work environment should be considered for workers with severe insomnia.

Noise exposure in pediatric otolaryngology clinic: A sound survey of a single-institution tertiary care facility

BACKGROUND

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers acoustic exposure of 90 decibels (dB) an occupational risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Pediatric healthcare clinicians are exposed to considerable noise especially during invasive procedures, predisposing them to noise-induced hearing loss, increased work-related stress, and increased complications associated with intense noise exposure. While there has been extensive research in noise exposure in dentistry, to date there has been no research on noise exposure in the pediatric otolaryngology clinic setting. The objective of this study is to quantify the degree of noise exposure that pediatric otolaryngologists encounter in the clinical setting.

METHODS

A sound survey was performed of 420 pediatric otolaryngology clinic visits within a single-institution tertiary care facility from January 2022 to March 2022, with a total of 409 visits included. At each visit, noise was measured using a calibrated National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Sound Meter application, an iPad, and a microphone. The Equivalent Continuous Sound Pressure Level (LAeq), peak sound pressure level (SPL), C-weighted peak noise level (LCpeak), and the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level were recorded.

RESULTS

The average LAeq was 61.1 dB, the median LAeq was 60.3 dB, and the average peak SPL was 80.5 dB. Only 0.5 % of visits reached an LAeq above 80 dB, however, 51 % were above 60 dB and 99 % were above 45 dB. No clinicians were exposed to noise exceeding established limits of safety. Patients younger than ten years old (p < 0.001) and those who underwent procedures such as cerumen removal (p < 0.001) elicited higher ranges of elevated noise. Multivariate analysis confirmed that increased age decreased acoustic exposure while procedures increased acoustic exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that pediatric otolaryngology clinicians do not exceed hazardous noise limit exposure. However, they are exposed to levels above those which have been linked to stress, poor productivity, and stress-related disorders. This analysis also reports that patients who are younger and those that undergo procedures, specifically cerumen removal, tend to expose their providers to the highest levels of noise. This is the first study examining noise exposure in pediatric otolaryngology, and further research should evaluate the risks of noise exposure in this environment.

Associations of road traffic noise and its frequency spectrum with prevalent depression in Taichung, Taiwan

Introduction

Exposure to road traffic noise has been reported to be associated with depression in many epidemiological studies, but the association between noise frequency spectrum and depression remains unclear. This community-based study investigated the associations between road traffic noise exposure and its frequency components with prevalent depression.

Methods

A total of 3,191 residents living in Taichung who participated in the Taiwan Biobank between 2010 and 2017, were included as study participants. The land-use regression models were used to evaluate individual annual average values of A-weighted equivalent sound level over 24 h (L_eq,24h) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM_2.5) using the geographic information system. Multiple logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for depression after adjusting for potential risk factors and PM_2.5.

Results

An interquartile range increase in L_eq,24h at full frequency (4.7 dBA), 1,000 Hz (5.2 dB), and 2,000 Hz (4.8 dB) was significantly associated with an elevated risk for depression with ORs of 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 2.55), 1.58 (95% CI: 1.05, 2.37), and 1.58 (95% CI:1.03, 2.43), respectively, by controlling for PM_2.5. The high-exposure group (≥3rd quartile median of noise levels) at full frequency, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz had an increased risk for depression with ORs of 2.65 (95% CI: 1.16-6.05), 2.47 (95% CI: 1.07-5.70), and 2.60 (95% CI: 1.10-6.12), respectively, compared with the reference group (<1st quartile of noise levels) after adjustment for PM_2.5. Significant exposure-response trends were observed between the prevalent depression and noise exposure by quartiles at full frequency, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with an increased prevalence of depression, particularly at 1,000 and 2,000 Hz.

Association between physical risk factors and sleep disturbance among workers in Korea: The 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey

OBJECTIVE

Sleep disturbance is associated with negative effects to workers' health and productivity; hence, it is important to find which population of workers are associated with sleep disturbance. This study aimed to investigate the association between physical risk factors (vibration, noise, high, and low temperatures) and sleep disturbance in the Korean working population.

METHODS

We analyzed data on 29,213 paid workers from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. Individual and occupational characteristics, physical risk factors exposure, and sleep disturbance were collected using self-reported questionnaires. To assess the association between physical risk factors and sleep disturbance, the chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted. All statistical analyses were performed in sex-based subgroups.

RESULTS

We observed that all physical risk factors are associated with sleep disturbance. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) of severe exposure to vibration, noise, high and low temperature were 1.69 (CI:1.47-1.94), 2.52 (CI:2.17-2.92), 3.09 (CI:2.69-3.56), and 1.96 (CI:1.68-2.28) in male workers and 2.27 (CI:1.89-2.72), 3.52 (CI:2.92-4.24), 3.30 (CI:2.81-3.87), and 2.87 (CI:2.44-3.38) in female workers, respectively. The prevalence of sleep disturbance increased with increased exposure to physical risk factors, indicating a dose-response relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical risk factors exposure in the workplace was associated with sleep disturbance of workers, indicating a dose-response relationship. Given the impact of sleep disturbance on workers' health and efficiency, it may be important to control exposure to physical risk factors in the working environment with regards to sleep conditions.

Noise exposure in early adulthood causes age-dependent and brain region-specific impairments in cognitive function

Hearing loss is a chronic health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. In addition to age-related hearing impairment, excessive noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing loss. Beyond the devastating effects of hearing impairment itself, epidemiological studies have identified hearing loss as a major risk factor for age-related cognitive decline, including dementia. At present, we currently lack a full understanding of the brain regions and underlying molecular changes that are responsible for mediating the link between hearing loss and cognitive impairment across aging. In the present study, we exposed 6-month-old rats to an occupational-like noise (100 dB SPL, 4 h/day × 30 days) or sham exposure and investigated both hippocampal-dependent (i.e., spatial learning and memory, assessed using the Morris water maze) and striatal-dependent (i.e., visuomotor associative learning, assessed using an operant-conditioning task) cognitive function across aging at 7, 10, and 13 months of age. We also investigated brain region-specific changes in microglial expression following noise/sham exposure in order to assess the potential contribution of this cell type to noise-induced cognitive impairments. Consistent with human studies, the occupational-like noise exposure resulted in high-frequency hearing loss, evidenced by a significant increase in hearing thresholds at 20 kHz. Ultimately, our results suggest that not all higher-level cognitive tasks or their associated brain regions appear to be equally susceptible to noise-induced deficits during aging, as the occupational-like noise exposure caused an age-dependent deficit in spatial but not visuomotor associative learning, as well as altered microglial expression in the hippocampus but not the striatum. Interestingly, we found no significant relationships between spatial learning ability and the level of hearing loss or altered microglial density in the hippocampus following noise exposure, suggesting that other changes in the brain likely contribute to hippocampal-dependent cognitive dysfunction following noise exposure. Lastly, we found that a subset of younger animals also showed noise-induced deficits in spatial learning; findings which suggest that noise exposure may represent an increased risk for cognitive impairment in vulnerable subjects. Overall, our findings highlight that even a mild occupational-like noise exposure earlier in adulthood can have long lasting implications for cognitive function later in life.

Evaluating the Impact of Metro Interior Noise on Passenger Annoyance: An Experimental Study

The operation of a large-scale metro system creates problematic interior noise; the impact of this noise on passengers and drivers is a subject of increasing concern. To investigate the quantitative relationship between metro interior noise and passengers’ annoyance, this study analyzed questionnaires on passenger annoyance completed by 118 volunteers. The feedback from the questionnaire concerned eleven metro lines in Beijing. To test the interior noise levels, the volunteers were divided into two groups: A and B. The volunteers in group A took the same metro train as the testers, whereas those in group B took different trains. A total of 2080 noise annoyance samples from metro tunnel sections were collected and analyzed. Finally, the exposure-response relationship between interior noise and passenger annoyance was obtained by fitting these data with a logistic function. The results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between the average subjective annoyance and the averaged equivalent sound pressure level. The fitting result was better for group A than for group B. For the mixed samples of two groups, the fitting result was greatly affected by the contribution of group A. To provide an acoustically comfortable environment, metro interior noise should not exceed 84–85 dB(A).

Effects of a Technical Solution on Stress of Surgical Staff in Operating Theatres

BACKGROUND

 Noise in operating theaters (OT) exceeds safety standards with detrimental effects on the health and performance of OT crews as well as patient safety. One of the reasons for these effects is the stress response to noise, which could be minimized by the Silent Operating Theater Optimisation System (SOTOS), a noise-reductive headset solution.

METHODS

 This study evaluates the effects of the SOTOS on the stress perceived by OT crew members, operationalized through stress level and exhaustion. Twenty-one heart surgeries and 32 robot-assisted prostatectomies at the University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany were examined. Twenty-six surgeries were conducted with and 27 without the SOTOS. The SOTOS-effect is defined as a more beneficial stress course from before to after surgery, when comparing the experimental group with and control group without SOTOS.

FINDINGS

 Eighty-one OT workers were investigated. The linear multilevel models revealed significant interactions between treatment and time of measurement on stress level (F[1, 406.66] = 3.62, p = 0.029) and exhaustion (F[1, 397.62] = 13.12, p = 0.00017). Nevertheless, there was no a significant main effect of surgery type on stress level (F[1, 82.69] = 1.00, p = 0.32) or on exhaustion (F[1, 80.61] = 0.58, p = 0.45). Additionally, no significant three-way interaction including surgery type, for stress level (F[1, 406.66] = 0.32, p = 0.29) or exhaustion (F[1, 397.62] = 0.03, p = 0.43), was found.

INTERPRETATION

 An SOTOS-effect was confirmed: the development of stress over the course of an operation was beneficially modified by the SOTOS. Both surgery types are perceived as similarly stressful, and the staff benefits equally strongly from the intervention in both settings.

Psychological profile in noise-induced hearing loss patients: a pilot study

Introduction. Noise-induced hearing loss is a rather prevalent condition and can be distressing for a substantial proportion of patients, although researches describing psychological characteristics in noise-induced occupational hearing loss patients are not numerous.

The study aims to find the effects of occupational noise on the psychological status among noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) patients.

Methods. Two groups, cross-sectional design. Study sample: 44 occupational noiseinduced male forming NIHL patients group (n = 21) and a control group (n = 23). Both groups were tested using the Russian versions of psychological questionnaires.

Results. Almost one third of NIHL patients are the highly anxiety individuals as compared with the healthy participants (p < 0.01). Mixed type of response to the surrounding reality combined a high need for self-actualization with high self-control, tendency to inhibit and restrain behavioral reactions, in this case it is possible to “overlap” both neurotic and behavioral responses, which can affect the general overstrain and manifest by the somatization of the internal conflict. In general, NIHL patients use constructive cognitive, emotional and behavioral coping strategies. Patients use both constructive and tense defense mechanisms. Conclusion. It has been established that in patients with NIHL, in comparison with practically healthy persons, tension accumulates, and a tendency to psychotraumatization appears. However, it is currently difficult to determine whether NIHL is a predisposing factor for these psychological characteristics, so further research is needed to determine how significant this relationship is. Key words: noise-induced hearing loss, occupational noise, psychological profile>˂ 0.01). Mixed type of response to the surrounding reality combined a high need for self-actualization with high self-control, tendency to inhibit and restrain behavioral reactions, in this case it is possible to “overlap” both neurotic and behavioral responses, which can affect the general overstrain and manifest by the somatization of the internal conflict. In general, NIHL patients use constructive cognitive, emotional and behavioral coping strategies. Patients use both constructive and tense defense mechanisms.

Conclusion. It has been established that in patients with NIHL, in comparison with practically healthy persons, tension accumulates, and a tendency to psychotraumatization appears. However, it is currently difficult to determine whether NIHL is a predisposing factor for these psychological characteristics, so further research is needed to determine how significant this relationship is. 

Home environment and noise disturbance in a national sample of multi-family buildings in Sweden-associations with medical symptoms

BACKGROUND

Poor acoustic conditions at home can have negative health impact. The aim was to investigate home environment factors and medical symptoms associated with noise disturbance.

METHODS

All adults (≥18 y) registered in selected apartments in Sweden were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey including medical questions and personal factors. Totally 5775 adults participated (response rate 46%). Information on home environment was obtained through an indoor environment questionnaire. Two-level logistic regression models (individual, municipality) were performed to estimate associations.

RESULTS

Totally 11.9% reported noise disturbance in general at home. Noise disturbance from voice/radio/TV/music/similar sounds from neighbours (13.2%), scraping sound/footsteps/thumping from neighbours (16.5%) and road traffic (16.1%) were common. Younger age and smoking were related to more noise disturbance and more medical symptoms. Noise disturbance was related to tiredness, headache and difficulty concentrating (OR = 1.70-8.19). Renting the apartment (OR = 2.53) and living above ground floor (OR = 1.37) were related to more noise disturbance in general. Living in newer buildings (constructed from 1986 to 2005) was related to less noise disturbance in general (OR = 0.40-0.59). A warmer climate (OR = 1.95), higher municipality population density (OR = 1.24), a longer living time (OR = 1.34), construction year (1961-1975) (OR = 2.42), renting (OR = 1.80-2.32), living above ground floor (OR = 1.45) and having a bathroom fan (OR = 1.84) were associated with increased noise disturbance from neighbours. Factors associated with increased noise disturbance from installations or ventilation/fans/heat pumps included a warmer climate, higher municipality population density, construction year (1961-1995), renting and any mechanical ventilation. Higher municipality population density, construction year (especially 1961-1985) and renting were associated with more noise disturbance from traffic (OR = 1.77-3.92). Renting the apartment (OR = 1.73) and living above ground floor (OR = 1.60) were related to more severe traffic noise disturbances. Noise disturbance in general was partly a mediator of the effects of old buildings, renting the apartment and lack of mechanical ventilation on medical symptoms (% of total effect mediated by noise disturbance: 19-44.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Noise disturbance can be associated medical symptoms. Younger age, smoking, a warmer climate, higher municipality population density and different building factors (e.g. renting the apartment, construction period 1961-1985) can be associated with noise disturbance.

Personality captures dissociations of subjective versus objective hearing in noise

Acoustic noise is pervasive in human environments. Some individuals are more tolerant to noise than others. We demonstrate the explanatory potential of Big-5 personality traits neuroticism (being emotionally unstable) and extraversion (being enthusiastic, outgoing) on subjective self-report and objective psycho-acoustic metrics of hearing in noise in two samples (total N = 1103). Under statistical control for demographics and in agreement with pre-registered hypotheses, lower neuroticism and higher extraversion independently explained superior self-reported noise resistance, speech-hearing ability and acceptable background noise levels. Surprisingly, objective speech-in-noise recognition instead increased with higher levels of neuroticism. In turn, the bias in subjectively overrating one's own hearing in noise decreases with higher neuroticism but increases with higher extraversion. Of benefit to currently underspecified frameworks of hearing in noise and tailored audiological treatments, these results show that personality explains inter-individual differences in coping with acoustic noise, which is a ubiquitous source of distraction and a health hazard.

A study on the assessment of traffic noise induced annoyance and awareness levels about the potential health effects among residents living around a noise-sensitive area

The present cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for traffic noise-induced annoyance and also assess the awareness levels among the exposed population concerning the health impacts caused by traffic noise. Field measurements were made to validate the application of the standard noise models, which were later used to present the acoustical environment and assess the exposure level around a super-speciality hospital surrounded by a residential zone. Results from the noise maps and façade maps revealed that the area was exposed to noise levels exceeding the upper safe limits by more than 10 dB(A). The effect of exposure in the form of annoyance and the awareness level were evaluated using a questionnaire survey in a sample of 565 residents. Attention questions were incorporated in the questionnaire, and the awareness level was evaluated using the mean awareness index score. Respondents living in noisy areas were having a higher risk for annoyance as compared to those living in quiet areas (OR = 4.06; 95% CI = 2.79-5.88). Reporting poor sleep quality, being sensitive to noise, and noise perception at home were the significant risk factors for annoyance. Most of the respondents were classified as having no/little awareness about serious health ailments caused by traffic noise. Lower awareness levels, despite a higher literacy rate and a higher percentage of the young population, imply that there is a need for undertaking mass awareness programmes so that the impacts can be reduced to a minimum, if not eliminated.

Noise levels encountered in university dental clinics during different specialty treatments

Background:

Noise levels encountered during the dental treatments in different departments have deleterious effects on the ears of dental healthcare providers and there is scarcity of data in the literature in Saudi Arabia. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the noise levels resulting from the usage of different specialty instruments and equipment.

Material and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure the level of noise produced by different specialty instruments and equipment within the dental clinics of the College of Dentistry, Riyadh Elm University (REU), Riyadh. The noise produced during the restorative treatments, endodontics and prosthodontics was recorded objectively using a decibel (dB) meter placed at a distance of 30 cm from the operator's ear. Mean noise levels were calculated and compared among the various specialty treatments using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Furthermore, Tukey's test was applied to perform a pairwise comparison between the groups.

Results:

An overall noise of 73.83 ± 4.39 dB was found to be generated within the dental clinical setting. A highest sound level of 79.44 ± 2.10 dB was observed during restorative treatment followed by 74.14 ± 3.08, 73.22 ± 1.93, 71.39 ± 3.37 and 70.97 ± 4.70 dB for endodontic, periodontal, and prosthodontic treatments, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed in the noise levels produced from the different specialty treatments (P = 0.000).

Conclusion:

The greatest noise level was recorded with the use of the amalgamator in restorative dental treatment. It was inferred that the noise emanating from all the specialty dental treatments was below the hazardous levels. Long-term exposure may, however, have adverse effects on auditory as well as general health.

Metal Exposures, Noise Exposures, and Audiometry from E-Waste Workers in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

Metals, such as lead, may be ototoxic, but this property is not well understood, especially in conjunction with noise. This cross-sectional study investigated hearing, noise, and metal biomarkers in informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling workers in Accra, Ghana. Workers (N = 58) participated in audiometric testing, a survey, blood collection, and personal noise dosimetry. Sixty percent of participants displayed audiometric notches indicative of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Most workers (86%) reported high noise while working. Daily average noise levels were in the range 74.4-90.0 dBA. Linear regression models indicated participants who lived at Agbogbloshie Market for longer periods were significantly associated with worse hearing thresholds at 4 and 6 kHz. The models did not identify blood levels of lead, mercury, or cadmium as significant predictors of worse hearing thresholds or larger noise notches, but increased levels of selenium were significantly associated with better hearing at 6 kHz. Models of thresholds at 4 and 6 kHz were improved by including an interaction term between the maximum noise exposure and the level of zinc in whole blood, suggesting that zinc may protect hearing at lower noise levels, but not at higher levels. Further study of the relationships between elements, noise, and NIHL is needed.

The Effect of Noise on the Neurobehavioral Function of the Occupational Population and the Content of Catecholamines

According to the decibel level of noise detection in the working environment, the research objects were divided into high noise group (more than 85 dB), low noise group (55 to 85 dB), and control group (less than 55 dB), the neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) was used to systematic tests all workers, radioimmunoassay was used to detect plasma catecholamine levels, and the relationship between noise intensities and the levels of plasma catecholamine was analyzed by canonical correlation. The result shows noise exposure will affect workers' neurological function and the influence of noise on neurobehavioral function may be related to the increase of the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the plasma and the inhibition of the synthesis of epinephrine of noise-exposed workers.

An assessment of noise exposure and hearing health status among auto body workers in Kermanshah, Iran

BACKGROUND

Unwanted sound is recognized as the most extensive source of contaminant in the workplace. Exposure to intense, continuous, and higher than 85 dB level noise can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. The aim of the present study was to determine the level of noise exposure and its impact on hearing health among auto body workers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This descriptive-analytic study was conducted in 2020 to investigate the hearing health status of workers in auto body workshops. Sixty-one participants were randomly selected for audiometric testing. The equivalent sound level (Leq) of the workers was measured using a Casella CEL-320 noise dosimeter. Audiometric testing was performed using an AC40 audiometer. The mean hearing threshold levels (HTLs) of both ears were calculated for different frequencies. The results obtained were analyzed using SPSS v21.0 at a significance level of 95%.

RESULTS

The participants had an average age of 35.5 ± 11.8 years and an average work experience of 16.5 ± 9.8 years. The mean Leq was 92.3 ± 4.7 dB. The mean HTLs for the right ear and left ear were 20, 15, 17.6, 19.2 dB, respectively with the right ear suffering more loss. A significant relationship was found between hearing loss in both ears (P < 0.001). The highest prevalence of hearing loss in both ears was observed at a frequency of 4 kHz. About 73.8% of the subjects had a normal HTL, 23.3% had mild hearing loss, and 3.3% had severe hearing loss. With increasing work experience, HTLs also increased significantly, particularly at 2-8 kHz.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic exposure to noise pollution threatens hearing health. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the level of awareness among workers in order to enable better hearing health protection and also to promote the use of hearing protection devices.

Soundscape Evaluation Comparison of Outdoor Activity Space Between Gated and Open Communities

In communities, outdoor activity space is utilized most often by older adults and children, and the soundscape is very important for its quality. For different community planning modes, such as gated and open communities, focus should be on different soundscape enhancement strategies for outdoor spaces. In this paper, typical samples of activity spaces in a gated community and in an open community were used. The comparison was conducted through soundscape evaluation including an analysis of the dominance of various sound sources, noise annoyance, and the perceptual dimensions of soundscape. The results showed that noise annoyance in the gated community was significantly lower than in the open community, although the noise level was of no significance between the two communities. The community planning mode moderated the relationships among the soundscape perception parameters between the gated and open communities. To reduce noise annoyance in the gated communities, each sound source should be considered; in open communities, traffic noise only should be considered. In a gated community, adding natural sounds to reduce noise annoyance may be a feasible intervention; in an open community, this is not necessary. Besides, there was no relationship between noise annoyance and Eventfulness in an open community, indicating that noise annoyance was insufficient to explain the complex sound environment of the community. China’s community planning will gradually shift from a gated community to an open community, making the soundscape of outdoor activity spaces likely to change dramatically in the future. The findings will help urban designers and managers to adopt targeted strategies to improve the soundscape and quality of life of community-dwelling older adults and children.

Is there a relationship between occupational noise and hearing levels, sleep quality, and QoL of the factory workers?

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the hearing level, sleep quality, depression status, and life quality of the employees.

METHODS

The research group contains 380 (56.7%) of 669 employees working in the factory. We used a questionnaire, noise measurement (2016), pure tone audiometry test results of (2015, 2016). SF-12 (short form), mini sleep questionnaire (MSQ), and Beck depression scale.

RESULTS

The employees' mean working period is 13.5 ± 11.9 years. The mean ambient noise level of the factory is 75.5 ± 7.3 dB. We detected hearing loss at 18.6% and 23.2% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The frequency of hearing loss is 4.7% at the employees working below 85 dB and 27.8% percent at the employees working above 85 dB. Mean working period of the employees with hearing loss (19.7 ± 11.7 years) is higher than mean working period of the employees without hearing loss(13.2 ± 11.8 years) (p < .0.05). The 27.8% of the employees working above 85 dB are used to earmuffs, 44.4% of them sometimes use earmuffs; 38.9% of them are used to earplug; and 44.4% of them sometimes use earplug. Back depression scales showed 31.1% minimal, moderate, or severe depression. The sleep quality of employees working above 85 dB is worse than the others (p < 0.05). SF-12 QoL scores were 39.41 ± 5.59 (physical health) and 36.10 ± 7.76 (mental health). There was not a statistically significant association between scale scores and ambient noise level and hearing level of the workers (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We suggest the use of personal protective equipment. Working in the noise above 85 dB affected workers' sleep quality to be poorer.

An Integrated Individual Environmental Exposure Assessment System for Real-Time Mobile Sensing in Environmental Health Studies

The effects of environmental exposure on human health have been widely explored by scholars in health geography for decades. However, recent advances in geospatial technologies, especially the development of mobile approaches to collecting real-time and high-resolution individual data, have enabled sophisticated methods for assessing people’s environmental exposure. This study proposes an individual environmental exposure assessment system (IEEAS) that integrates objective real-time monitoring devices and subjective sensing tools to provide a composite way for individual-based environmental exposure data collection. With field test data collected in Chicago and Beijing, we illustrate and discuss the advantages of the proposed IEEAS and the composite analysis that could be applied. Data collected with the proposed IEEAS yield relatively accurate measurements of individual exposure in a composite way, and offer new opportunities for developing more sophisticated ways to measure individual environmental exposure. With the capability to consider both the variations in environmental risks and human mobility in high spatial and temporal resolutions, the IEEAS also helps mitigate some uncertainties in environmental exposure assessment and thus enables a better understanding of the relationship between individual environmental exposure and health outcomes.

Alpha2-Adrenoblockers Regulate Development of Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Behaviour of Rats under Chronic Acoustic Stress Conditions

Noise is a wide-spread stress factor in modern life produced by urbanization, traffic, and an industrialized environment. Noise stress causes dysfunction and neurotransmission impairment in the central nervous system, as well as changes in hormone levels. In this study, we have examined the level of α-Tocopherol (α-T) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and the erythrocytes’ membrane (EM), as well as the behavioral characteristics of a noise-induced stress model in rats. In addition, the modulating effect of α²-adrenoblockers, beditin, and mesedin on the aforementioned parameters has been investigated. For these purposes, albino male rats were divided into four groups: (1) untreated; (2) noise-exposed, (3) noise-exposed and beditin-treated (2 mg/kg, i.p.), and (4) noise-exposed and mesedin-treated (10 mg/kg, i.p.) animals. Noise-exposed groups were treated with 91dBA noise on 60 days with a daily duration of 8 h. Increased MDA and decreased α-T levels in plasma and EM were observed upon chronic high-level noise exposure. Locomotor and behavioral activity assessed with a Y-maze revealed disorientation and increased anxiety under chronic noise exposure. Prominently, α²-adrenoblockers alleviated both behavioral deficits and oxidative stress, providing evidence for the involvement of α²-adrenoceptor in the pathophysiology of noise-induced stress.

Sound-level Monitoring Earphones With Smartphone Feedback as an Intervention to Promote Healthy Listening Behaviors in Young Adults

OBJECTIVES

More than a billion adolescents and youngsters are estimated to be at risk of acquiring recreational noise-induced hearing loss (RNIHL) due to the unsafe use of personal audio systems. RNIHL is preventable; therefore, the present study aimed to determine (i) the accuracy and reliability of dbTrack (Westone) sound-level monitoring earphones and (ii) the effect of sound-level monitoring earphones with smartphone feedback and hearing-health information as an intervention to promote healthy listening behaviors in young adults.

DESIGN

The study consisted of two phases: the first phase investigated the accuracy and reliability of dbTrack sound-level monitoring earphones. Accuracy was determined by comparing earphone measurements to sound level meter measurements. Intradevice reliability was determined by comparing earphone measurements during test-retest conditions. Nineteen participants were recruited through convenience sampling to determine within-subject reliability by comparing in-ear sound levels measured by the earphones during test-retest conditions. For the second phase of the study, a single-group pretest-posttest design was utilized. Forty participants, recruited through snowball sampling, utilized the sound-level monitoring earphones with the accompanying dbTrack smartphone application for 4 weeks. The application's smartphone feedback was disabled during the first 2 weeks (pretest condition) and enabled during the last 2 weeks (posttest condition). Average daily intensities, durations, and sound dosages measured during pre- and posttest conditions were compared.

RESULTS

Phase 1 dbTrack earphone measurements were within 1 dB when compared with sound level meter measurements. Earphones were also within 1 dB in repeated measures across earphones and across participants. Phase 2 posttest average daily intensity decreased by 8.7 dB (18.3 SD), duration decreased by 7.6 minutes (46.6 SD), and sound dose decreased by 4128.4% (24965.5% SD). Differences in intensity and sound dose were significantly lower with a small and medium effect size, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study's preliminary data indicate that dbTrack (Westone) sound-level monitoring earphones with a calibrated in-ear microphone can reliably and accurately measure personal audio systems sound exposure. Preliminary results also suggest that feedback on sound exposure using the accurate sound-level monitoring earphones with the accompanying dbTrack application can potentially promote safe listening behavior in young adults and reduce the risk of acquiring an RNIHL.

Exposure to the road traffic noise in an urban complex in Greece: the quantification of healthy life years lost due to noise-induced annoyance and noise-induced sleep disturbances

In the recent years, the environmental noise is a global issue of great concern. Especially, it is considered to be one of the most deleterious environmental risk factors for the human health and well-being in urban areas. In this study, we focus on the major source of the transportation noise in the modern-day urbanized societies, which is the road traffic noise. The study was performed in the urban complex in Thessaloniki-Neapoli in Greece, and the estimation of the road traffic noise levels was based on the CoRTN (Calculation of Road Traffic Noise) prediction method. In addition, we estimated the EBD (environmental burden of disease), in terms of DALYs (disability-adjusted life years), due to the annoyance and sleep disturbances associated with the exposure to road traffic noise. The estimation of the EBD was based on the strategic noise mapping in Thessaloniki-Neapoli as well as on the guidance document produced by the WHO (World Health Organization) for the quantitative assessment on the humans' health consequences of the environmental noise. Above all, the results revealed the magnitude of the health damage caused by the transportation noise.

Associations between adolescents' earphone usage in noisy environments, hearing loss, and self-reported hearing problems in a nationally representative sample of South Korean middle and high school students

Few epidemiological studies have examined the relationship between earphone usage and hearing loss in adolescents. This study identified the prevalence of hearing loss in South Korean adolescents using representative national survey data and evaluated the relationship between earphone usage in a noisy environment and hearing loss. This study analyzed 532 subjects (12-19 years) who participated in a 2012 national survey and completed health and noise environment exposure questionnaires and pure tone audiometry (PTA) test. Hearing loss was defined as an average hearing threshold of 26 Decibel-A (dBA) or higher in PTA. The relationship between earphone usage and hearing loss was analyzed using a hierarchical logistic regression model. Adolescents who were exposed to high noise levels via headphones in a noisy environment had a hearing loss prevalence of 22.6% and adolescents who used earphones 80 minutes or more per day on average had the hearing loss prevalence of 22.3%. The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents who used earphones in a noisy environment had a 4.5-fold higher risk of hearing loss and an 8.4 times higher risk of having a subjective hearing problem than those who did not use earphones (prevalence odds ratio (pOR) = 4.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-15.24; pOR = 8.39, 95% CI: 1.12-62.83, respectively). Additionally, adolescents who used earphones more than 80 minutes per day in a noisy environment had a 4.7 times higher risk of hearing loss than those who used them less than 80 minutes per day (pOR = 4.68, 95% CI: 1.08-20.22). Longitudinal studies are needed to provide evidence of causality between earphone usage and hearing loss.

Auditory effects of recreational and occupational noise exposure among dental students: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Purpose: to determine the auditory effects of noise exposure from recreational and occupational sources among dentistry students. Methods: forty-two dentistry students, routinely exposed to occupational noise, and 72 students from other health science schools were recruited (control group). Audiometric testing, otoacoustic emissions and questionnaires to assess recreational and occupational noise were applied to the sample. The presence of a notch was determined for each participant audiometry´s test based on the criteria proposed by Coles et al. Differences in notch prevalence were analyzed by applying univariate regression models as well as a multivariate model adjusted by covariates. Results: non-significant differences in auditory thresholds between groups were found. The controls exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of a notch at 4 kHz than the group exposed to noise. However, the differences were not statistically significant in the multivariate model adjusted by recreational noise exposure. Conclusions: the occupational noise exposure was not significantly associated to auditory system dysfunction. In addition, the differences in notch prevalence could be related to recreational noise exposure.

Effect of short-term and long-term traffic noise exposure on the thyroid gland in adult rats: a sexual dimorphic study

OBJECTIVES

Traffic noise, as one of the noise types, is a widespread feature of the urban environments. Traffic noise exposure can lead to hearing loss, hypertension, obesity and ischemic heart diseases. Thyroid hormones involved in the physiological and pathological conditions of the body. Therefore, this study was designed to aim the evaluation of traffic noise effects on thyroid hormones secretion and thyroid tissue structure.

METHODS

Seventy two males and females wistar rats were used in this study. After one week adaptation, they divided randomly into 12 groups; the control, short term (one day) and long term (one, two, three and four weeks) groups. Traffic sound was recorded, adjusted and played (86 dB) for animals. Female rats' cycle estrus was matched. At the end of experiment, the animals were anesthetized and cardiac blood sample was drawn. Thyroid tissue was then removed. Levels of the T3, T4, TSH, corticosterone and H&E staining were measured. p<0.05 considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

Findings showed that in the one-day group, T3 levels increased and T3 levels decreased in the long term groups (p<0.05). In the same way, concentration of TSH decreased in the one day, while they increased in the one, two, three and four weeks' groups (p<0.05). Histopathological evaluations showed that in the female and male animals, long-term traffic noise increased the full follicles and decreased empty follicles (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that traffic noise exposure led to increase of T3 plasma concentration and decrement of TSH level, although in the long term, they return to basal status. It may be due to adaptation to traffic noise.

Genome-wide association study identifies 7q11.22 and 7q36.3 associated with noise-induced hearing loss among Chinese population

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) seriously affects the life quality of humans and causes huge economic losses to society. To identify novel genetic loci involved in NIHL, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for this symptom in Chinese populations. GWAS scan was performed in 89 NIHL subjects (cases) and 209 subjects with normal hearing who have been exposed to a similar noise environment (controls), followed by a replication study consisting of 53 cases and 360 controls. We identified that four candidate pathways were nominally significantly associated with NIHL, including the Erbb, Wnt, hedgehog and intraflagellar transport pathways. In addition, two novel index single-nucleotide polymorphisms, rs35075890 in the intron of AUTS2 gene at 7q11.22 (combined P = 1.3 × 10^-6 ) and rs10081191 in the intron of PTPRN2 gene at 7q36.3 (combined P = 2.1 × 10^-6 ), were significantly associated with NIHL. Furthermore, the expression quantitative trait loci analyses revealed that in brain tissues, the genotypes of rs35075890 are significantly associated with the expression levels of AUTS2, and the genotypes of rs10081191 are significantly associated with the expressions of PTPRN2 and WDR60. In conclusion, our findings highlight two novel loci at 7q11.22 and 7q36.3 conferring susceptibility to NIHL.

Anthropogenic Noise Source and Intensity Effects on Mood and Relaxation in Simulated Park Environments

Research on human caused sound has shown a wide range of effects in outdoor environments as well as laboratory simulations of those environments. Aircraft noise, ground traffic, and human voices have all been shown to lower scenic evaluation ratings and influence individual reports of affective state. However, previous research has relied entirely on pre-post measures of affect and psychological state rather than more momentary assessments. The current project utilized a time series of 15 measurements of overall mood and relaxation collected during a 30-min period during which participants (N = 229) were exposed to randomized volume levels of natural sounds, natural sounds with aircraft noise, natural sounds with ground traffic, or natural sounds with human voices added. Results supported previous findings with significant sound type X volume interactions showing differing rates of decline for both outcomes. Natural sounds did not relate to the diminishing effects observed for the three anthropogenic sound conditions.

How paramedics perceive internal noise in ambulance? sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) and Subjective Noise Assessment

Introduction:

This article discusses the correlation between sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) as a feature of personality and temperament and paramedics’ subjective perception of noise inside an ambulance. Description of the theoretical basis of SPS has been strongly depicted.

Materials and methods:

Polish translation of SPS 12-item short scale and a survey concerning the subjective perception of noise inside an ambulance have been used in this research. Assessment of noise included its three sources: emergency vehicle siren, resistance of rolling tires and noise produced by diesel engines. 46 paramedics from mobile emergency care units working in Poznan and the Poznan’s district have taken part in the research. Paramedics with higher SPS results were selected, creating a highly sensitive people (HSP) group.

Results:

When non-HSP people were compared to paramedics from the HSP group, an emergency signal was considered more burdensome for HSP paramedics. The intensity of noise generated by the vehicle’s suspension elements and tires was significantly higher in cars more than 3 years old. Older paramedics (≥30 years old) evaluated the intensity as well as burdensomeness of noise generated by suspension’s elements and tires, higher than the younger (<30 years old) ones.

Conclusions:

Both paramedics and drivers as occupational groups are liable to noise, which seems to be particularly harmful and burdensome to the HSP group. Further studies should be provided in this area. This may lead to an increase not only in their productivity but also in their quality of life.

Supplementation of Taurine Insulates Against Oxidative Stress, Confers Neuroprotection and Attenuates Memory Impairment in Noise Stress Exposed Male Wistar Rats

Noise has always been an important environmental factor that induces health problems in the general population. Due to ever increasing noise pollution, humans are facing multiple auditory and non-auditory problems including neuropsychiatric disorders. In modern day life it is impossible to avoid noise due to the rapid industrialization of society. Continuous exposure to noise stress creates a disturbance in brain function which may lead to memory disorder. Therefore, it is necessary to find preventive measures to reduce the deleterious effects of noise exposure. Supplementation of taurine, a semi essential amino acid, is reported to alleviate psychiatric disorders. In this study noise-exposed (100 db; 3 h daily for 15 days) rats were supplemented with taurine at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 15 days. Spatial and recognition memory was assessed using the Morris water maze and novel object recognition task, respectively. Results of this study showed a reversal of noise-induced memory impairment in rats. The derangements of catecholaminergic and serotonergic levels in the hippocampus and altered brain antioxidant enzyme activity due to noise exposure were also restored by taurine administration. This study highlights the importance of taurine supplementation to mitigate noise-induced impaired memory via normalizing the neurochemical functions and reducing oxidative stress in rat brain.

Topic Modeling for Analyzing Patients' Perceptions and Concerns of Hearing Loss on Social Q&A Sites: Incorporating Patients' Perspective

Hearing loss is the most common human sensory deficit, affecting normal communication. Recently, patients with hearing loss or at risk of hearing loss are increasingly turning to the online health community for health information and support. Information on health-related topics exchanged on the Internet is a useful resource to examine patients' informational needs. The ability to understand the patients' perspectives on hearing loss is critical for health professionals to develop a patient-centered intervention. In this paper, we apply Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) on electronic patient-authored questions on social question-and-answer (Q&A) sites to identify patients' perceptions, concerns, and needs on hearing loss. Our results reveal 21 topics, which are both representative and meaningful, and mostly correspond to sub-fields established in hearing science research. The latent topics are classified into five themes, which include "sudden hearing loss", "tinnitus", "noise-induced hearing loss", "hearing aids", "dizziness", "curiosity about hearing loss", "otitis media" and "complications of disease". Our topic analysis of patients' questions on the topic of hearing loss allows achieving a thorough understanding of patients' perspectives, thereby leading to better development of the patient-centered intervention.

Drug development for noise-induced hearing loss

INTRODUCTION

Excessive exposure to noise is a common occurrence that contributes to approximately 50% of the non-genetic hearing loss cases. Researchers need to develop standardized preclinical models and identify molecular targets to effectively develop prevention and curative therapies.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors discuss the many facets of human noise-induced pathology, and the primary experimental models for studying the basic mechanisms of noise-induced damage, making connections and inferences among basic science studies, preclinical proofs of concept and clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

Whilst experimental research in animal models has helped to unravel the mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss, there are often methodological variations and conflicting results between animal and human studies which make it difficult to integrate data and translate basic outcomes to clinical practice. Standardization of exposure paradigms and application of -omic technologies will contribute to improving the effectiveness of transferring newly gained knowledge to clinical practice.

3D Printed Structured Porous Treatments for Flow Control around a Circular Cylinder

The use of porous coatings is one of the passive flow control methods used to reduce turbulence, noise and vibrations generated due to fluid flow. Porous coatings for flow stabilization have potential for a light-weight, cost-effective, and customizable solution. The design and performance of a structured porous coating depend on multiple control parameters like lattice size, strut thickness, lattice structure/geometry, etc. This study investigated the suitability of MSLA 3D printers to manufacture porous coatings based on unit cell designs to optimize porous lattices for flow control behind a cylinder. The Reynolds number used was 6.1×104–1.5×105 and the flow measurements were taken using a hotwire probe. Different experiment sets were conducted for single cylinder with varying control parameters to achieve best performing lattice designs. It was found that lattice structures with higher porosity produced lower turbulence intensity in the wake of the cylinder. However, for constant porosity lattice structures, there was negligible difference in turbulence and mean wake velocity levels. Coating thickness did not have a linear relationship with turbulence reduction, suggesting an optimal thickness value. For constant porosity coatings, cell count in coating thickness did not influence the turbulence or mean wake velocity. Partial coating designs like helical and spaced coatings had comparable performance to that of a full coating. MSLA printers were found capable of manufacturing thin and complex porous lattices.

Association between Occupational Noise and Vibration Exposure and Insomnia among Workers in Korea

Background: The effect of noise and vibration exposure on disturbed sleep has been investigated in the past. However, this study was carried out to investigate the relationship between workplace noise and vibration exposure with insomnia amongst representative Korean workers, both simultaneously and separately. Methods: Our research analyzed an overall population of 30,837 workers aged 15 years or older using data derived from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted in 2017. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were performed to investigate baseline characteristics and to quantify the association between workplace exposure to noise and vibration with insomnia. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (S) were calculated to measure interactions between simultaneous noise and vibration exposure with insomnia. Results: The prevalence of those who reported insomnia was 18.3% of the general population. Among men and women, insomnia in those who were exposed to noise only was 13.9% and 18.3%, respectively, and in those who were exposed to vibration only, it was 23.9% in males and 26.4% in females. Insomnia in those who were exposed to both noise and vibration simultaneously was 20.5% and 41.2% in men and women, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of insomnia due to noise exposure was 1.10 and 1.07 in men and women, respectively. OR of vibration exposure was 1.84 in men and 1.58 in women. For noise plus vibration exposure OR was 1.83 in men and 3.14 in female workers, where the synergistic effect of noise and vibration exposure could be seen. The association between the varying degree of simultaneous noise plus vibration exposure with insomnia showed a dose–response relationship. The interaction measures showed a synergistic effect of simultaneous exposure in women but not in men. Conclusion: Our study revealed an association between occupational noise and vibration exposure and insomnia, both individually and simultaneously. Additional studies and research are required to further comprehend this relationship.

Field Study of the Interior Noise and Vibration of a Metro Vehicle Running on a Viaduct: A Case Study in Guangzhou

The interior noise and vibration of metro vehicles have been the subject of increasing concern in recent years with the development of the urban metro systems. However, there still is a lack of experimental studies regarding the interior noise and vibration of metro vehicles. Therefore, overnight field experiments of the interior noise and vibration of a standard B-type metro train running on a viaduct were conducted on metro line 14 of Guangzhou (China). Both the A-weighted sound pressure level and linear sound pressure level were used to evaluate the interior noise signals in order to revel the underestimation of the low-frequency noise components. The results show that the interior noise concentrates in the low-to-middle frequency range. Increasing train speeds have significant effects on the sound pressure level inside the vehicle. However, two obvious frequency ranges (125–250 Hz and 400–1000 Hz) with respective corresponding center frequencies (160 Hz and 800 Hz) of the interior noise are nearly independent of train speed. The spectrum analysis of the vehicle body vibration shows that the frequency peak of the floor corresponds to the first frequency peak of the interior noise spectrum. There are two frequency peaks around 40 Hz and 160 Hz of the sidewall’s acceleration level. The frequency peaks of the acceleration level are also independent of the train speeds. It hopes that the field measurements in this paper can provide a data set for researchers for further investigations and can contribute to the countermeasures for reducing interior noise and vibration of a metro vehicle.

The Links Between the Gut Microbiome, Aging, Modern Lifestyle and Alzheimer's Disease

Gut microbiome is a community of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria have a tremendous impact on the human physiology in healthy individuals and during an illness. Intestinal microbiome can influence one's health either directly by secreting biologically active substances such as vitamins, essential amino acids, lipids et cetera or indirectly by modulating metabolic processes and the immune system. In recent years considerable information has been accumulated on the relationship between gut microbiome and brain functions. Moreover, significant quantitative and qualitative changes of gut microbiome have been reported in patients with Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, gut microbiome is highly sensitive to negative external lifestyle aspects, such as diet, sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm disturbance, chronic noise, and sedentary behavior, which are also considered as important risk factors for the development of sporadic Alzheimer's disease. In this regard, this review is focused on analyzing the links between gut microbiome, modern lifestyle, aging, and Alzheimer's disease.

Sociodemographic correlates of occupational, recreational and firearm noise exposure among adults in the USA

OBJECTIVE

To determine sociodemographic factors associated with occupational, recreational and firearm-related noise exposure.

METHODS

This nationally representative, multistage, stratified, cluster cross-sectional study sampled eligible National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants aged 20-69 years (n = 4675) about exposure to occupational and recreational noise and recurrent firearm usage, using a weighted multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-four per cent of participants had exposure to occupational noise and 12 per cent to recreational noise, and 13 per cent repeatedly used firearms. Males were more likely than females to have exposure to all three noise types (adjusted odds ratio range = 2.63-14.09). Hispanics and Asians were less likely to have exposure to the three noise types than Whites. Blacks were less likely than Whites to have occupational and recurrent firearm noise exposure. Those with insurance were 26 per cent less likely to have exposure to occupational noise than those without insurance (adjusted odds ratio = 0.74, 95 per cent confidence interval = 0.60-0.93).

CONCLUSION

Whites, males and uninsured people are more likely to have exposure to potentially hazardous loud noise.

The Influence of Traffic Noise on Apartment Prices on the Example of a European Urban Agglomeration

Traffic noise is one of the key determinants of apartment prices. The real estate market is highly sensitive to adverse environmental factors, which explains significant variations in apartment prices. The aim of this study was to identify the correlations between traffic noise levels and the prices of apartments traded on a local real estate market. The study analyzed three residential districts in the city of Olsztyn in north-eastern Poland. The database covered 5259 transactions concluded in 2005–2018. The collected data were standardized in terms of technical and functional parameters, and noise was the key factor differentiating the evaluated property. The relationships between the explained variable (apartment price) and the explanatory variable (traffic noise) were determined by linear correlation analysis. A negative correlation was noted, which confirms that a building’s location relative to the road network and, consequently, the level of traffic noise, is one of the factors that play a role in the potential buyers’ choice of property. The results of the study also indicate that the impact of traffic noise on the decisions made by real estate buyers continued to decrease in the analyzed period. Infrastructure projects in the city (construction of tramway lines and a ring road) have visibly reversed the previously observed trends and have decreased the strength of the above correlations in the evaluated residential districts. The values of the correlation coefficient were stabilized below the level noted in earlier stages of the analysis after the completion of the major infrastructure projects.

[Prevalence of exposure to occupational noise in Brazilian workers: results of the Brazilian National Health Survey, 2013]

The objectives were to describe the prevalence of occupational exposure to noise and to analyze associated factors in the Brazilian population. This cross-sectional population-based study used data from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS, 2013). The sample consisted of 36,442 Brazilians 18 years or older. The outcome variable was self-reported exposure to noise during work. To assess possible factors associated with exposure to noise, we used Pearson's chi-square test and the univariate and multivariate Poisson model with robust variance. The results showed 32.1% prevalence of exposure to noise, varying from 40.9% (Santa Catarina, Brazil) to 21.9% (Piauí, Brazil). Prevalence was lower in women (PR = 0.57; 95%CI: 0.55-0.59) and in individuals 55 years or older (PR = 0.70; 95%CI: 0.65-0.76). Higher prevalence was associated with the 25-54-year age bracket (PR = 1.00; 95%CI: 0.95-1.06), middle schooling level (PR = 1.36; 95%CI: 1.29-1.44), self-reported fatigue (PR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.30-1.40), hearing impairment (PR = 1.27; 95%CI: 1.19-1.35), and history of work-related accident (PR = 1.37; 95%CI: 1.25-1.50). Prevalence of self-reported exposure to occupational noise was higher than in three other Latin American countries. Higher prevalence among men, younger workers, and those with less schooling was expected. The associations with auditory and non-auditory problems suggest the need for systemic interventions. Adjustments to the questions in the PNS are desirable to favor comparability and monitoring.

Negative impact of noise and noise sensitivity on mental health in childhood

Introduction:

Noise and noise sensitivity have negative effects on mental health and are not well-studied in children and adolescents. In this study, we investigated these effects in the aforementioned population with respect to sociodemographic variables and environmental factors.

Materials and Methods:

In this population-based study conducted in two large cities in South Korea, 918 elementary and middle-school students were included. After direct measurements at the selected sites, a noise map was created using an interpolation method. The road traffic noise of the participants’ residential areas was calculated based on this noise map. Noise sensitivity was assessed on an 11-point Likert scale. Using multivariate logistic regression, we investigated the relationship among noise, noise sensitivity, and the Child Behavior Checklist. Further analyses were performed subdividing the data according to household income levels.

Results:

Noise sensitivity was significantly associated with internalizing, externalizing, and total behavioral problems. Noise was positively associated with total behavioral problems. In the low-income group, the degree of association with problem behaviors was higher, whereas the relationship between noise sensitivity and externalization problems disappeared in the high-income group.

Conclusion:

Noise and noise sensitivity are negatively associated with the mental health of children and adolescents, particularly in low-income groups. The findings of this study suggest that noise sensitivity and socioeconomic status should be considered in coping with negative effects of noise in children and adolescents.

A New Integrative Theory of Brain-Body-Ecosystem Medicine: From the Hippocratic Holistic View of Medicine to Our Modern Society

Humans are increasingly aware that their fate will depend on the wisdom they apply in interacting with the ecosystem. Its health is defined as the condition in which the ecosystem can deliver and continuously renew its fundamental services. A healthy ecosystem allows optimal interactions between humans and the other biotic/abiotic components, and only in a healthy ecosystem can humans survive and efficiently reproduce. Thus, both the human and ecosystem health should be considered together in view of their interdependence. The present article suggests that this relationship could be considered starting from the Hippocrates (460 BC-370 BC) work "On Airs, Waters, and Places" to derive useful medical and philosophical implications for medicine which is indeed a topic that involves scientific as well as philosophical concepts that implicate a background broader than the human body. The brain-body-ecosystem medicine is proposed as a new more complete approach to safeguarding human health. Epidemiological data demonstrate that exploitation of the environment resulting in ecosystem damage affects human health and in several instances these diseases can be detected by modifications in the heart-brain interactions that can be diagnosed through the analysis of changes in heart rate variability.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence as a Tool Supporting Sustainable Development Local Policy

This paper addresses the problem of noise in spa protection areas. Its aim is to determine the delimitation of the areas that exceed a permissible noise level around the sanatorium on the example of a health resort in Inowrocław. The determination of the exceedance of permissible noise levels allows us to develop directly effective local policy tools to be included in planning documents. In order to reduce noise infiltration, it is important to define environmental priorities. Taking into account their impact on the health of users in the protection area, environmental priorities enable us to introduce additional elements to street architecture. In order to properly manage space, in accordance with the idea of sustainable development, zones of environmental sensitivity—and their socio-environmental vulnerability—have been designated for assessing damage (exceeding permissible noise in health facilities) and defining methods of building resilience (proper management). This has provided the basis for a natural balance optimized for the people living in these areas. To achieve the goal above, non-linear support vector machine (SVM) networks were used. This technique allows us to classify the linearly inseparable data and to determine the optimal separation margin. The boundaries of the areas which exceeded permissible noise levels (separation margin) were estimated on the basis of noise pollution maps, created by means of the SVM technique. Thus, the study results in establishing buffer zones where it is possible to use varied land utilization in terms of form and function, as described in the planning documents. Such an activity would limit the spread of noise.

Environmental noise exposure modifies astrocyte morphology in hippocampus of young male rats

Background:

Chronic exposure to noise induces changes on the central nervous system of exposed animals. Those changes affect not only the auditory system but also other structures indirectly related to audition. The hippocampus of young animals represents a potential target for these effects because of its essential role in individuals’ adaptation to environmental challenges.

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate hippocampus vulnerability, assessing astrocytic morphology in an experimental model of environmental noise (EN) applied to rats in pre-pubescent stage.

Materials and Methods:

Weaned Wistar male rats were subjected to EN adapted to the rats’ audiogram for 15 days, 24 h daily. Once completed, plasmatic corticosterone (CORT) concentration was quantified, and immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein was taken in hippocampal DG, CA3, and CA1 subareas. Immunopositive cells and astrocyte arborizations were counted and compared between groups.

Results:

The rats subjected to noise exhibited enlarged length of astrocytes arborizations in all hippocampal subareas. Those changes were accompanied by a marked rise in serum CORT levels.

Conclusions:

These findings confirm hippocampal vulnerability to EN and suggest that glial cells may play an important role in the adaptation of developing the participants to noise exposure.

The Relationship between Sound and Amenities of Transit-Oriented Developments

Experts in diverse fields have investigated sound in cities throughout the United States. This research aims to examine sound levels and determine its contributors at the transit-oriented development (TOD) station and neighborhood levels by studying selected Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail stations. A multilevel analysis was performed to model the likelihood of TOD stations and neighborhoods affecting sound levels, controlling for station amenities, socio-demographics and built environment characteristics. Sound measurements were sampled in three time intervals with 15 min sampling over weekdays and weekends at TOD and non-TOD stations by a type II SPL meter that was mounted on a small camera tripod at a height of 1.5 m, at a distance of 1.5 m from rails and curbs. The research team found that amenities, built environmental characteristics, and neighborhood features have significant implications on sound levels at both the TOD station and the neighborhood level, which affects quality of life (QoL). TOD stations that include more amenities have a greater level of significance on sound levels. Additionally, neighborhoods with a pervasive street grid configuration, public facilities, and built environment densities are significantly associated with a likelihood of high sound levels. Conversely, higher population densities and intersection densities decrease the likelihood of a high sound level environment. These patterns provide an arena for transportation, urban, and environmental planning and policymaking to generate transformative solutions and policies.