Noise & Health最新文献

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) remains one of the most common and preventable occupational diseases globally, yet it exerts a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries. In Africa, where hazardous noise exposure is widespread and occupational health systems are under-resourced, ONIHL continues to affect workers across both formal and informal sectors. This narrative review, conducted with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-style transparency, synthesizes Africa-specific evidence from 49 sources, including epidemiological studies, policy documents, and qualitative research, to map prevalence and exposure patterns, identify systemic and contextual barriers, and highlight feasible prevention strategies. Literature published between 2000 and 2025 was sourced from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and grey-literature databases. Reported prevalence rates remain consistently high, with 22-30% among South African miners, 47-48% among Tanzanian miners and steel workers, and over 20% among Ghanaian sawmill and stone-crushing workers. Although several African countries have occupational noise regulations, their impact is undermined by weak enforcement, poor compliance monitoring, and the near-total exclusion of informal workers. Barriers to prevention span multiple levels, including inadequate provision and use of hearing protection devices, critical shortages of audiologists, low awareness and stigma, and competing health priorities such as human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis. Promising approaches include comprehensive hearing conservation programs, engineering controls such as "buy quiet," and emerging fourth industrial revolution innovations (tele-audiology, mobile health, artificial intelligence). However, their effectiveness depends on addressing underlying infrastructure, workforce, and governance challenges. Preventing ONIHL in Africa requires a holistic, multi-sectoral approach that integrates occupational health with broader public health, labor, and development agendas, while extending protection to the majority employed in the informal economy.

Background: Hospital noise pollution poses major health risks for elderly urban residents, particularly those with cognitive decline (Mini-Mental State Examination ≤24). While noise may affect respiratory health through inflammation and sleep disruption, its direct association with infection rates in this vulnerable population remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 92 elderly patients with cognitive decline. Participants were stratified by World Health Organization guidelines into high-noise [night equivalent sound level (Lnight) ≥55 dB, n = 46] and low-noise (Lnight < 55 dB, n = 46) groups. Annual respiratory infection rates, inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity%), blood pressure, and heart rate variability were assessed. Spearman's rank correlation was used to evaluate the strength of the association between Lnight and each of the detection indicators. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between each factor and the outcome of respiratory tract infection.

Results: Compared with the low-noise group, the high-noise group demonstrated significantly elevated inflammatory markers, poorer sleep quality, higher systolic blood pressure, and reduced lung and autonomic functions (all P < 0.05). High noise exposure significantly increased respiratory infection risk (odds ratio = 1.092, 95% confidence interval: 1.009-1.182; P < 0.005).

Conclusion: Results suggest that long-term environmental noise exposure is associated with an increased risk of respiratory tract infections in the elderly with cognitive decline. Cognitive impairment may aggravate this association to some extent by affecting behavioral adaptation and physiological stress responses.

Objective: This study aims to investigate residents' perceptions of sounds from childcare centers as environmental noise and to examine the relationship between these perceptions and social tolerance.

Materials and methods: Three urban areas in Tokyo, distinguished by their presence or absence of arterial roads and childcare centers, were selected as case studies. The study combined objective field measurements and a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was extended beyond those used in previous studies to include variables related to social capital, such as levels of social engagement and the strength of community ties, to investigate their influence on residents' tolerance of noise from childcare centers.

Results: Satisfaction with the sound environment was strongly correlated with equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure levels (LAeq,10min) (r = -0.78, P < 0.016), whereas the perception of childcare center sounds showed no significant association. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis (sites C-H and T1-T3) revealed noise sensitivity (odds ratio [OR] = 2.530, P < 0.001), willingness to participate in open events (OR = 3.851, P < 0.001), gender (OR = 2.176, P = 0.002), and ownership (OR = 0.332, P = 0.008) as significant predictors of opposition to new childcare centers. In the refined model for sites T1-T3 incorporating social capital variables, degree of trust was also significant (OR = 0.805, P = 0.005), with higher trust associated with lower levels of opposition.

Conclusion: Residents' perceptions of sounds from childcare centers were not significantly related to their satisfaction with the sound environment. Residents' attitudes toward childcare centers reflect physical factors such as ambient noise as well as social factors such as interpersonal trust. Centers can minimize negatively perceived sounds and encourage community interaction to promote acceptance and coexistence.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of music therapy and white noise on sleep quality and psychological resilience enhancement in night-shift nurses.

Methods: A quasi-experimental retrospective analysis was performed on 100 night-shift nurses enrolled in hospital-based health management programs between April 2024 and April 2025. The participants were categorised by program type: the music group (n = 52) received music-based care from April 2024 to September 2024, and the white noise group (n = 48) underwent white noise exposure from October 2024 to April 2025. The following were assessed before the program and at 4-week post-implementation: sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), circadian flexibility (Circadian Type Inventory-11 [CTI-11] with Flexibility/Rigidity [FR] and Languidness/Vigorousness [LV] subscales), psychological resilience (10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale [CD-RISC-10]), occupational burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey [MBI-GS]) and emotional labour management (Emotional Labor Scale [ELS]). An independent sample t-test was used to compare the differences between groups, and the effect size of the differences was quantified by Cohen's d.

Results: At 4-week post-implementation, the white noise group demonstrated significantly lower PSQI scores (P < 0.05), CTI-11 LV subscale scores (P < 0.05), CD-RISC-10 scores (P < 0.05) and diminished genuine emotion expression dimension scores on the ELS (P < 0.05) compared with the music group. Conversely, the white noise group had significantly higher CTI-11 FR subscale scores (P < 0.05), MBI-GS scores (P < 0.05) and surface acting plus deep acting dimension scores on the ELS (P < 0.05) compared with the music group.

Conclusion: Music therapy and white noise exposure effectively enhance sleep quality, circadian adaptability, psychological resilience, occupational burnout recovery and emotional labour regulation in night-shift nurses. White noise demonstrates greater efficacy for sleep quality and circadian rhythm optimisation. Music therapy provides superior psychological resilience enhancement, burnout reduction and emotional labour management.

Background: Detrimental occupational environmental exposure constitutes a significant external factor influencing occupational stress. This study aimed to examine the correlation between noise exposure and the risk of occupational stress in coal miners.

Methods: This cross-sectional study employed data from a specialized occupational health survey conducted in 2023 at a large-scale coal mine in Gansu Province, China, an industry distinguished by elevated noise exposure levels. A total of 447 qualified participants were included in the final analysis. The correlation between noise exposure and occupational stress was examined using binary logistic regression. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was utilized to investigate the dose-response connection between these two variables. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the association across various population strata.

Results: This study indicates that the prevalence of occupational stress is 48.99%. Statistically significant differences were observed between the occupational stress group and the non-occupational stress group regarding age, gender, physical exercise, type of employment, duration of service, and noise exposure level (all P < 0.05). Following the adjustment for multiple confounding variables, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that noise exposure was a significant independent risk factor for occupational stress (P = 0.003). RCS analysis further confirmed a dose-response association between noise exposure and occupational stress, demonstrating that the risk of occupational stress rose progressively with escalating noise exposure intensity. Subgroup analysis not only validated this positive link but also established a robust correlation between noise exposure and occupational stress (odds ratio = 2.560, 95% confidence intervals: 1.550-4.230, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study's results indicate that prolonged noise exposure among coal miners correlates with an elevated risk of occupational stress. These findings may assist in formulating health management strategies for individuals with varying degrees of noise exposure.

Background: Ménière's disease is a chronic vestibular disorder characterised by vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus, with noise exposure potentially exacerbating symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of noise reduction measures during noise-sensitive periods on vertigo symptoms and vestibular function in affected patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included 223 patients diagnosed with Ménière's disease between May 2021 and June 2023. Participants were divided into two groups: the noise reduction measure group (NR group, n = 108) and the non-noise reduction measure group (NNR group, n = 115). Assessments included the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for vertigo severity, Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA), video Head Impulse Test, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, caloric tests, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). All measures were obtained at baseline and 3 months after the treatment initiation. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests, as appropriate.

Results: At the 3-month follow-up, the NR group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the NNR group in THI (P = 0.011), DHI (P = 0.014), VAS (P < 0.001), PTA thresholds (P = 0.007), vestibular function parameters (all P < 0.05), HADS for anxiety (P = 0.020), HADS for depression (P = 0.014) and multiple SF-36 domains (P < 0.05). The basic vertigo control rate was also higher in the NR group than in the NNR group (P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Implementing noise reduction measures during noise-sensitive periods significantly improved vertigo symptoms, reduced tinnitus handicap and enhanced hearing function in patients with Ménière's disease, suggesting that this approach may be a valuable adjunctive approach to standard medical treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of five-element music therapy combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) comprehensive rehabilitation on liver function, nutritional status, sleep quality and psychological state in hospitalised patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 156 patients hospitalised for decompensated liver cirrhosis from June 2022 to March 2024. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: TCM comprehensive rehabilitation (76 cases) and five-element music therapy combined with TCM comprehensive rehabilitation (80 cases). Changes in psychological state (Self-rating Anxiety Scale [SAS] and Self-rating Depression Scale [SDS]), liver function (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], total bilirubin [TBIL], direct bilirubin [DBIL] and albumin [ALB]), nutritional status (haemoglobin, prealbumin [PA], total protein, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 and Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire [SNAQ]) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) were compared before and after the nursing approach was implemented.

Results: Both groups showed significant improvements post-nursing approach in SAS, SDS, liver function, nutritional status and sleep quality (P < 0.05). The five-element music therapy group exhibited significant reductions in SAS, SDS and PSQI scores and better improvements in PA and SNAQ scores than the TCM comprehensive rehabilitation group (P < 0.05). Although the liver function indicators (ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL and ALB) improved in both groups, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Five-element music therapy combined with TCM comprehensive rehabilitation significantly improves psychological state, nutritional status and sleep quality in hospitalised patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. This integrative care model is worth promoting in clinical practice.

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the correlation between the degree of noise sensitivity and medical experience/psychological burden in adult patients attending fever clinics.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 200 adult patient records extracted from the electronic medical record system and patient experience survey database of the Xiaoshan Hospital's fever clinic between January 2023 and December 2024. The dataset encompassed general information and completed assessments using the Schutte Noise Sensitivity Questionnaire (NoiSeQ), the Patient Experience-Based Evaluation Scale for Medical Service Quality (PEES-50) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression and Bootstrap mediation effect analysis to examine the collected data.

Results: Noise sensitivity assessment in the 200 fever clinic patients revealed scores of 66-144 points, with a mean value of 107.68 ± 16.78 points. Initial univariate analysis demonstrated statistically significant variations in total NoiSeQ scores according to waiting duration and the period of consultation (all P < 0.05). Subsequent multiple linear regression modelling confirmed that extended waiting times and nighttime visits remained significantly associated with elevated noise sensitivity (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed consistent inverse relationships between NoiSeQ subscale and total scores and all PEES-50 dimensions (r < 0, P < 0.05). Conversely, direct positive associations were observed with depression, anxiety, stress components and overall DASS-21 score (r > 0, P < 0.05). Further examination identified psychological burden as a serving as a partial mediator between noise sensitivity and medical experience, explaining 52.03% of the total variance (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that noise sensitivity in fever clinic patients is associated with waiting time and time of visit, suggesting that acoustic environment modifications and psychological support measures represent potential strategies for enhancing the quality of medical services.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of five-element music therapy combined with hospital-community integrated care on the psychological status and cognitive function of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: The clinical data of 130 patients with PD treated with pramipexole and levodopa at The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College from July 2022 to March 2024 were retrospectively analysed. Participants were divided into three groups based on care protocols as follows: a routine care group (n = 40, routine care), community care group (n = 50, routine care + hospital-community integrated care) and comprehensive care group (n = 40, routine care + hospital-community integrated care + five-element music therapy). Comparisons were made amongst the three groups regarding psychological status (Self-Rating Depression Scale [SDS], Self-Rating Anxiety Scale [SAS]), clinical symptoms (subscores of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part I [UPDRS-I]), social adaptability (Social Adaptability Function Evaluation [SAFE]), cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]) and nursing satisfaction. Homogeneity of variance was verified by using Levene's test. For comparisons between groups meeting normality and homogeneity of variance, one-way analysis of variance was used. Intragroup comparisons before and after care were performed by employing paired-sample t-tests.

Results: After 3 months of care, the SDS and SAS scores in the comprehensive care group were lower than those in the community and routine care groups (P < 0.05). The SDS and SAS scores in the community care group were lower than those in the routine care group (P < 0.05). The comprehensive care group also showed significantly reduced UPDRS-I subscores, alongside higher SAFE and MoCA scores, compared with the community and routine care groups (P < 0.05). Similarly, the community care group displayed lower UPDRS-I subscores and higher SAFE and MoCA scores compared with the routine care group (P < 0.05). After 3 months of care, the nursing satisfaction in the comprehensive care group was higher than that in the routine care group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Five-element music therapy combined with hospital-community integrated care improves psychological status, alleviates clinical symptoms, enhances social adaptability and cognitive function and increases nursing satisfaction in patients with PD.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between occupational noise exposure and cardiovascular-related indicators and evaluate the effect of targeted health education.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was applied, combined with the evaluation before and after health education. Workers who underwent occupational health examinations from April 2022 to October 2023 were selected. On the basis of workplace monitoring, 204 workers with LAeq, 8h ≥ 85 dB(A) were assigned to the noise-exposed group, and 190 workers with LAeq, 8h ≤ 80 dB(A) and no high-intensity noise history were assigned to the non-exposed group (total N = 394). Blood lipid levels [high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG)] and myocardial enzyme levels [creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH)] were measured in the two groups. The dyslipidaemia and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities of the two groups were analysed. The noise exposure group was given targeted health education for 6 months.

Results: The noise exposure group had higher TG, TC, LDL-C, CK, LDH and α-HBDH levels (all P < 0.05), lower HDL-C level (P < 0.05), higher dyslipidaemia (48.04% vs. 26.32%) and ECG abnormality rates (40.29% vs. 15.26%) than the non-exposed group. After health education was provided, all abnormal indicators in the noise-exposure group improved significantly (P < 0.05), with the ECG abnormality rate decreasing from 40.7% at baseline to 22.55% after the nursing.

Conclusion: Occupational noise exposure is associated with adverse cardiovascular-related indicators. Targeted health education can effectively improve these outcomes, providing evidence for occupational health protection.