Noise & Health最新文献

Background/objectives: Accurate self-perception of interaural hearing asymmetry is crucial for clinical decision-making and communication strategies, yet the relationship between objective audiometric patterns and subjective awareness remains poorly characterized. Using nationally representative data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study employed a machine learning approach to model the probability that an individual's self-reported "better-hearing" ear matches the audiometrically defined one.

Methods: A Light Gradient Boosting Machine classifier was trained exclusively on objective measures-ear-specific pure-tone averages (PTA) and interaural asymmetry metrics-to predict correct subjective identification.

Results: The model demonstrated robust performance on a held-out test set, with an accuracy of 0.85, precision of 0.84, recall of 0.98, an F1-score of 0.91, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83. Explainable artificial intelligence analysis revealed that the absolute magnitude of interaural PTA asymmetry was the dominant predictor of correct self-report, while the signed direction of asymmetry contributed minimally.

Conclusion: The results indicate that subjective awareness is strongly tied to the size of the hearing difference between ears rather than its direction and becomes more reliable with greater asymmetry. These findings indicate that a simple "better ear" self-report item captures meaningful audiometric information, supporting its potential use in clinical triage and public health surveillance, while also highlighting the need for caution in cases of mild asymmetry where misclassification is more likely.

Objective: Residential air-source heat-pump (AHP) installations are increasing, yet their impacts on sleep and noise annoyance remain insufficiently understood. This study is the first to combine multi-night polysomnography (PSG) and daytime testing to assess the effects of AHP noise on sleep and daytime annoyance, concentration, and mood.

Methods: The sleep study involved PSG examining sleep patterns and noise-associated arousals across three nights, each with a different condition: (1) no noise (baseline condition), (2) AHP noise levels simulating tilted windows, and (3) AHP noise levels simulating closed windows. The daytime study exposed subjects to AHP noise while reading texts, and responses were compared to a quiet baseline. Questionnaires measured sleep disturbance, noise annoyance, and concentration.

Results: Out of the 42 initial subjects included, 2 discontinued for personal reasons. Forty subjects (f = 21, m = 19) completed both studies. In the sleep study, no differences were found for Total Sleep Time [418.20 min (363.10, 438.50), 408.20 min (352.90, 435.80), 405.70 min (375.00, 430.20)] or Sleep Efficiency [87.10% (75.60, 91.30), 85.00% (73.50, 90.70), 84.50% (78.10, 89.60)] across conditions. However, AHP noise with tilted windows led to significantly more noise-related arousals (7.60 ± 5.90 vs. 5.50 ± 3.60, pP< 0.050) than with closed windows. Sleep disturbance was significantly greater in the tilted window condition. Daytime exposure to AHP noise increased noise annoyance, concentration difficulties, and mood disturbances, with a pronounced effect of the order of conditions on annoyance when noise followed the quiet condition (2.58 ± 1.22 vs. 1.57 ± 0.60).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that residential AHP noise can impair both sleep parameters and daytime functioning, underscoring the need to consider its health impact in residential settings. Future studies should explore the long-term impact of noise exposure and potential interventions through -multicenter research. A laboratory setting limits the generalizability of the results.

Objective: The study aims to investigate the effect of ward nighttime noise management on sleep quality and negative emotions in postoperative patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) framework.

Methods: A single-center retrospective, controlled study was conducted. Clinical data of 140 ONFH patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) between January 2022 and March 2025 were analyzed. Based on the implementation timeline of ERAS-based ward nighttime noise management at Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital), patients admitted from January 2022 to June 2023 without the noise management protocol (n = 72) were assigned to the conventional group, and those admitted from July 2023 to March 2025 with the protocol (n = 68) were assigned to the noise-reduction group. Sleep quality [using the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) and polysomnography (PSG)] and negative emotions [using the short-form Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-C21) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)] were compared between the two groups at admission and 1 week after hospitalization.

Results: Compared with baseline at admission, both groups showed improved RCSQ scores, prolonged deep sleep and total sleep time measured by PSG, and reduced frequency of nighttime awakenings after 1 week of hospitalization (all P < 0.05). The noise-reduction group demonstrated significantly better outcomes in all sleep parameters compared with the conventional group (P < 0.05). Similarly, DASS-C21 scores and PANAS negative affect scores decreased, and PANAS positive affect scores increased in both groups after 1 week relative to admission (P < 0.05). The noise-reduction group demonstrated significantly lower ward nighttime noise intensity compared with the conventional group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Incorporating ward nighttime noise management into ERAS protocols improves sleep quality, reduces negative emotions, and effectively lowers noise levels in ONFH patients after THA.

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss remains a common occupational disease. Although hazardous noise is primary cause, metabolic factors like dyslipidaemia may contribute, yet comparative evidence across diverse occupational settings remains limited.

Objective: This study aimed to compare hearing thresholds and serum lipid profiles between healthcare employees and automotive industry workers and to assess the relative contributions of occupational noise exposure and dyslipidaemia to auditory outcomes.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 9965 employees (5698 automotive workers and 4267 healthcare employees) were evaluated. Pure-tone audiometry was performed in accordance with International Organization for Standardization 8253-1 standards, and fasting lipid panels were analysed using standardised protocols. Occupational noise exposure was characterised using representative workplace monitoring data. Healthcare staff experienced the equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) 60-70 dBA, exceeding WHO comfort recommendations. Automotive workers were exposed to LAeq 75-85 dBA, above long-term exposure limits. Comparative analyses were conducted using independent-samples t-tests and chi-square tests. Multivariable regression models were applied to identify independent predictors of hearing thresholds.

Results: Despite their higher noise exposure, automotive workers demonstrated significantly better auditory thresholds than healthcare employees (mean binaural threshold: 8.2 ± 6.8 dB vs. 10.7 ± 8.0 dB; P < 0.001). Occupation type was an independent predictor of hearing status. Lipid parameters (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) showed only weak and clinically negligible associations with auditory thresholds.

Conclusions: Hearing outcomes were more strongly influenced by occupational setting and preventive frameworks than by noise intensity or lipid status. Structured hearing conservation programs in the automotive sector showed protective effects, contrasting with limited measures in healthcare workplaces. These findings highlight the need to extend hearing conservation strategies beyond other sectors.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of different levels of intraoperative noise exposure on postoperative pain intensity and total electroencephalogram (EEG) power in patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 154 patients undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia (March 2024-March 2025). The proportion of operative time with noise ≥70dB was derived from intraoperative monitoring and anesthesia system records and served as the grouping criterion. Patients with ≥40% exposure (n = 51) formed the high-noise group, and those with <40% (n = 103) formed the low-noise group. Postoperative pain numerical rating scale (NRS) was compared between groups for three cohorts: patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) users, non‑PCIA patients, and all patients. Analgesic consumption in PCIA users within 0 to 24h was recorded, and intraoperative total EEG power (α, β, δ, and θ waves) was compared. Independent samples t-test and χ2 test were used for intergroup comparisons, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: PCIA users in the high-noise group showed higher maximum NRS scores at 0 to 12 and 12 to 24hours, higher average scores over 0 to 24hours, and greater analgesic consumption compared with those in the low-noise group (P < 0.05). Similar trends were observed in non‑PCIA patients and the entire cohort, with significantly elevated NRS scores across the same intervals (P < 0.05). Moreover, total EEG power (α, β, δ, and θ waves) during surgery was significantly lower in the high-noise group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: High-level intraoperative noise exposure during lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia is linked to increased postoperative pain within 0 to 24 hours, elevated analgesic use, and decreased total EEG power (α, β, δ, and θ bands). This finding implies a potential connection among noise levels, EEG alterations, and postoperative pain. However, this work cannot confirm causality because of its retrospective nature; prospective research is needed for verification.

Objective: Guided by Person-Environment Fit theory, this study examines how perceived sound distraction and disturbance, coping strategies and personal characteristics relate to mental health outcomes in office environments.

Materials and methods: Data were collected from two organisations (N = 214). Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the complex relationships between sound distraction, coping strategies, personal characteristics and a broad set of mental health outcomes.

Results: The measurement model confirmed that three items loaded onto each mental health factor, which were strongly interrelated. Stressful mood was significantly associated with exhaustion (β = 0.57, t = 6.64) and fatigue (β = 0.21, t = 4.86) and also correlated with poor sleep quality (β = -0.59, t = -4.42) and disengagement (β = -0.34, t = -2.88). Employees reporting low concentration and poor sleep tended to feel more disengaged. Perceived distraction was negatively related to concentration (β = -0.67, t = -5.38). Disturbance from unintelligible background sounds was linked to higher exhaustion (β = 0.10, t = -2.99), whereas disturbance from intelligible speech showed an inverse relationship with exhaustion (β = -0.11, t = -2.63). Both disturbance types were strongly correlated and associated with increased distraction. Coping strategies were predominantly avoidance-based; notably, working more slowly than usual was associated with disturbance from speech (β = 0.18, t = 3.17), while trying to be quieter was linked to disturbance from unintelligible sounds (β = 0.28, t = 3.44). Greater effort was paradoxically related to higher fatigue (β = 0.24, t = 2.41) but lower disengagement (β = -0.098, t = -2.46). Noise-sensitive employees reported higher stressful mood (β = 0.19, t = 3.62) and were more likely to adopt avoidance coping strategies (β = 0.42, t = 6.88). The lack of concentration spaces and frequent individual-focused tasks amplified the distraction and disturbance.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the complex interplay among sound, coping and mental health. Organisations should reduce chronic noise stressors and, based on theory and prior research, encourage approach-oriented coping to mitigate long-term risks. Providing acoustically optimised spaces and interventions such as sound masking can improve person-environment fit and support employee well-being.

This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate occupational factors that contribute to variability in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) severity across different industrial sectors and identify high-risk occupational groups for targeted intervention strategies. A comprehensive systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from January 2003 to January 2025. Studies were included if they reported quantitative measures of NIHL prevalence, odds ratios, or prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals across different occupational sectors. Keywords included "noise-induced hearing loss," "occupational hearing loss," "prevalence," "odds ratio (OR)," and specific occupation terms including "miners," "construction workers," "manufacturing workers," "industrial noise," "deafness," and "occupational disease." Data extraction focused on study characteristics, participant demographics, noise exposure levels, and NIHL outcomes. Random-effects meta-analysis models were employed using Stata 17.0 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA). Forest plots were generated using Review Manager 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Eleven cross-sectional studies (no cohort or case-control studies met the inclusion criteria) encompassing 169,804 workers across multiple industries were included. Mining demonstrated the highest NIHL severity, with prevalence ranging from 22.9% to 47%. Gold ore mining showed a prevalence of 22.9%, while support activities for coal mining exhibited a prevalence of 18.1% with risk elevation. Manufacturing sectors showed consistent risk elevations across geographic regions, with developing countries reporting higher prevalence rates (20.4%-30.7%) compared to developed countries (14%-17%). Construction industry workers had prevalence rates of 17% to 26.9% across different subsectors. Age emerged as a critical modifier, with workers ≥35 years showing substantially increased risk. Geographic variations were observed, with developing countries generally reporting higher prevalence rates across all industries. Mining demonstrates the highest NIHL risk (PR up to 2.02), followed by construction and manufacturing. These findings support industry-specific hearing conservation programs in high-risk occupational environments.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of noise reduction management on occupational protection, auditory fatigue and physical and mental well-being in central sterile supply department (CSSD) staff.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of the same cohort of 40 staff members from the CSSD of Nanjing Chest Hospital, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, between May 2023 and June 2025. All subjects received conventional management for 12 months from May 2023 to May 2024, and the combined conventional and noise reduction management for 12 months from June 2024 to June 2025. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 software. The following parameters before and after noise reduction management were compared using paired t-tests: occupational protection status, auditory fatigue, quality of life (Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 [GQOLI-74]), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and noise intensity levels.

Results: After the implementation of noise reduction management, the average and maximum noise exposure levels were significantly lower than those before management (P < 0.05). In addition, significant improvements were observed across the following five evaluated dimensions: noise protection awareness, implementation of noise protection measures, environmental noise optimisation, distribution and utilisation of noise protection equipment and noise supervision (all P < 0.05). Additionally, post-implementation PSQI scores were significantly lower and pure-tone hearing threshold recovery time was notably shorter than pre-implementation levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, scores in all domains of the GQOLI-74, namely, physical function, social function, psychological function and material life, significantly increased after noise reduction management (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The implementation of systematic noise reduction management in the hospital CSSD was associated with reduced environmental noise levels and improved occupational protection among staff members. These measures may contribute to the alleviation of auditory fatigue and improvement in sleep quality and overall quality of life.

Background: Environmental noise is common in intensive care units (ICUs), but its relationship with myocardial injury progression in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not well understood. This study compared myocardial injury biomarker levels and clinical outcomes of patients with AMI in a noise-reduced and standard ICUs.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with AMI who were admitted to an ICU between December 2021 and December 2024. Patients were allocated to standard and noise-reduced ICU groups on the basis of inpatient environment. The key metrics assessed included myocardial injury biomarkers (hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT), which were measured at baseline and multiple time points up to 48 hours post-admission. The main noise exposure indicator is the 24 hours average equivalent sound level. Supportive treatments administered in the ICU, such as sedation, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events 30 days post-admission, ICU stay duration and total hospital stay duration were analysed.

Results: A total of 218 patients with comparable baseline data were allocated to standard (n = 113) and noise-reduced ICU groups (n = 105). All data reported in this study are absolute values measured at each time point. The noise-reduced ICU group exhibited significantly lower noise levels (44.21 ± 2.78 dBA vs. 55.26 ± 3.84 dBA, P < 0.001) and hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT levels at 12, 24 and 48 hours (hs-cTnI at 48 h: 135.65 ± 11.38 vs. 143.17 ± 17.82 ng/L, P < 0.001), reduced sedation use (24.76% vs. 38.05%, P = 0.035), a lower incidence of malignant arrhythmia (3.81% vs. 11.50%, P = 0.034) and shorter ICU (4.39 ± 0.75 days vs. 4.68 ± 0.92 days, P = 0.010) and total hospital stays (10.73 ± 1.32 days vs. 11.25 ± 1.45 days, P = 0.006).

Conclusion: The implementation of noise reduction measures in the ICU was associated with reduced levels of myocardial injury, decrease in complications and improved short-term outcomes in patients with AMI.

Objective: This study examined the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk and hearing difficulty and evaluated whether oral health problems mediate this relationship in a nationally representative Korean population.

Methods: We analyzed 15,163 adults aged ≥40 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2019-2023 datasets. OSA risk was defined using the snoring, tiredness, observed apneas, pressure, body mass index, age, neck circumference, and gender (STOP-BANG) questionnaire (low risk: 0-2; high risk: ≥3). Oral health problems were operationalized as the summed score of self-reported chewing difficulty and speaking difficulty (two 5-point items; range 2-10). Hearing difficulty was assessed using the KNHANES 4-point self-reported hearing scale (1 = no difficulty to 4 = cannot hear at all). Mediation analyses were conducted using complex-sample hierarchical regression with design-weighted estimation, adjusting for survey year, age, sex, education, marital status, income, smoking, alcohol consumption, metabolic/cardiovascular disease comorbidities, occupational noise exposure, and tinnitus.

Results: Adults with high-OSA risk had higher weighted mean hearing difficulty scores than the low-risk group (1.23 vs. 1.16). In the adjusted model, OSA risk was associated with hearing difficulty [total effect β = 0.031, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.013-0.048, P < 0.001]. Oral problems were associated with OSA risk (β = 0.111, 95% CI: 0.049-0.174, P < 0.001) and hearing difficulty (β = 0.014, 95% CI: 0.000-0.027, p = 0.047). The indirect effect was statistically significant (β = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.001-0.002). The direct effect of OSA risk on hearing difficulty remained significant (β = 0.019, 95% CI: 0.011-0.047, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The risk of OSA based on STOP-BANG was associated with increased hearing difficulty among Korean adults, and oral health problems statistically accounted for a small proportion of this cross-sectional association. These results highlight the potential value of jointly considering sleep-related symptoms, oral function, and hearing outcomes in population health research.