Noise & Health最新文献

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the effect of noise interference on work competency, coping styles, and psychological stress among specialist nurses of central sterile supply departments (CSSDs).

Methods: A pre-post study was conducted among 108 CSSD specialist nurses from four hospitals in the authors' city between September 2023 and December 2023. Noise reduction management was not implemented from September 2023 to October 2023 but was applied from November 2023 to December 2023. Daytime noise levels in CSSDs were monitored using a digital sound level meter, and noise reduction management measures were formulated based on the monitoring results. A digital noise meter was used to measure daytime noise conditions in CSSDs, and the noise levels before and after noise reduction management were recorded. Cleaning, sterilization, and packaging qualification rates were compared before and after noise reduction management. The Simplified Coping Scale and Symptom Checklist-90 were used to evaluate the coping strategies and psychological stress levels of specialist nurses before and after noise reduction management.

Results: In CSSDs, noise levels decreased significantly after the implementation of noise reduction management (P < 0.05). The cleaning qualification rate (98.99%), sterilization qualification rate (98.49%), and packaging qualification rate (98.83%) after management were all higher than the corresponding rates before management (97.21%, 96.89%, and 96.07%; P < 0.05). After implementation, positive response scores increased, whereas negative response scores decreased (P < 0.05). Notably, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, and total scores all decreased significantly after management compared with their premanagement values (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Noise interference can have numerous adverse effects on specialist nurses in CSSDs, making the active implementation of noise reduction management highly important.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of music therapy as an adjunctive nursing method for postoperative pain management in patients with oral cancer.

Methods: This retrospective study analysed 106 patients who underwent oral cancer surgery at the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army between June 2022 and June 2024. Patients were divided into standard care (n = 51) and music therapy (n = 55) groups in accordance with different postoperative nursing methods. The music therapy group received structured music therapy in addition to standard care. Outcome measures included analgesic medication usage; scores on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15); and physiological indicators (blood pressure, heart rate [HR], cortisol, dopamine (DA) and inflammatory factor levels).

Results: On postoperative day 7, the music therapy group demonstrated lower VAS scores (P < 0.05) and reduced analgesic medication consumption (P < 0.05) compared with the standard care group. On postoperative day 7, the SAS and PSQI scores of the music therapy group were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the standard care group. In terms of physiological indicators, on postoperative day 7, the music therapy group had significantly lower systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, HR, cortisol levels and interleukin-1β levels but significantly higher DA levels (P < 0.05) than the standard care group. The quality of recovery assessment revealed that the music therapy group had significantly higher scores on all five dimensions of the QoR-15 and total scores (P < 0.05) than the standard care group.

Conclusion: Music therapy demonstrates modest pain relief effects combined with reduced analgesic requirements whilst significantly improving sleep, anxiety and recovery quality.

Objective: Whilst occupational noise is known to affect suprathreshold auditory processing abilities, the concern regarding non-occupational noise exposure, such as recreational or environmental noise, is growing. This study investigates temporal auditory processing and speech perception in noise (SPiN) abilities amongst young adults with normal hearing but varying non-occupational noise exposure.

Methods: The participants were recruited between September 2024 and December 2024. A total of 64 college-going normal hearing participants were classified into low noise exposure (LNE, n = 32) and high noise exposure (HNE, n = 32) groups on the basis of their annual noise exposure levels. SPiN (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR] 50) was assessed by presenting nonsense consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel words. Gap detection thresholds (GDTs) for 500 ms broadband noise were assessed in quiet and background noise conditions (+10 and +5 dB SNR) by using an adaptive procedure.

Results: The HNE group demonstrated significantly increased SNR 50 thresholds compared with the LNE group (P < 0.001). GDT showed increased thresholds in the HNE group across all testing conditions (quiet, +10 and +5 dB SNR). However, a prominent increase was observed for the +5 dB SNR condition. Two-way repeated measure analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of stimulus condition (P < 0.001) and noise exposure (P < 0.001). The interaction effects between stimulus conditions and noise exposure were significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The study shows that frequent exposure to high-intensity non-occupational noise can adversely affect suprathreshold auditory processing. The findings underscore the need for increased awareness and prevention to reduce the long-term impact of noise on hearing.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of noise exposure on extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA) thresholds in an occupational setting. This study aimed to determine whether EHFA can provide insights into early cochlear changes that are undetectable through conventional methods and whether EHFA is more pronounced among workers exposed to higher noise levels.

Methods: A retrospective, quantitative design was employed to analyze audiometric data from 180 employees across categories of three occupational noise exposure (<85, 85-104, and ≥105 dBA, A-weighted). Participants underwent conventional and EHFA, with thresholds measured from 500 to 20,000 Hz. Stratified random sampling was used to select individuals with normal thresholds at 500 to 4000 Hz (<25 dB HL). Multivariate analysis of variance and logistic regression were used to evaluate the effects of noise exposure, age, and years of service on EHFA thresholds.

Results: The conventional audiometry thresholds were found between -10 and 50 dB HL, and the EHFA range was between -10 and 100 dB HL. The hearing threshold patterns were similar across the noise categories. No significant differences were observed in conventional audiometry and EHFA based on noise exposure categories (P = 0.511) or years of service (P = 0.745). However, significant associations with age were identified at 6000 Hz, 8000 Hz, and across all EHFA thresholds (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: EHFA demonstrated limited sensitivity in differentiating noise-induced hearing loss across noise exposure categories, potentially reflecting the effectiveness of the hearing conservation program implemented. Age emerged as a significant factor influencing thresholds at high frequencies, highlighting the importance of considering age in EHFA.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of contextual information on speech-in-noise perception among young and older adults with normal hearing sensitivity.

Method: A comprehensive search was carried out in electronic databases, that is, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase, to identify relevant studies exploring the effects of context on speech-in-noise perception among younger and older adults. Studies comparing the perception of high- and low-context sentences in noise between young and older adults were included. Twenty studies involving 840 participants were included in the analysis. A mixed-method appraisal tool was employed for quality appraisal.

Results: Multitalker babble was found to be more challenging than other background noises. In high- and low-context conditions, young adults outperformed older adults. However, older adults benefited more from contextual cues. Meta-analysis showed that at moderate signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), contextual information more significantly improved speech-in-noise perception in older adults compared with young adults (Cohen's d = 0.30, 95% CI [0.09, 0.51]). Effect sizes were larger but non-significant at low (Cohen's d = 0.66, 95% CI [-0.30, 1.61]) and high (Cohen's d = 1.34, 95% CI [-0.64, 3.33]) SNRs because of high heterogeneity.

Conclusion: This systematic review revealed many studies reporting greater contextual benefit for older adults and few studies showing comparable or reduced benefit for younger adults. The meta-analysis findings revealed greater benefits at moderate SNRs among older adults.

Background: Over the past few decades, rapid urbanization has led to noise pollution emerging as a major pollutant, with urban traffic noise being a major component of it. Understanding the effects of activities that do not have a direct impact on our health is complex. The present study is an attempt to gain insights into the nonaudiometric effects of noise on humans.

Methods: Two groups of driver types were formed to assess the nonaudiometric effects on humans: (1) driver of three-wheeler tempos (exposed group); (2) drivers of noncommercial light motor vehicles (LMVs) (unexposed group). In the present research, 300 drivers (150 tempo drivers and 150 LMV drivers) were examined using various questionnaire tools, such as the Perceived Stress Scale-4, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Medical examinations were also performed to evaluate the physiological effects.

Results: In the exposed group, 39.3% had moderate anxiety, and 12.0% had minimal anxiety. In the unexposed group, the majority (58.0%) had minimal anxiety, and 12.0% had moderate anxiety. A total of 42.0% of the tempo drivers had moderate depression, and 12.0% had severe depression. Among the LMV drivers, the majority (51.3%) had no depression, and none had severe depression. Furthermore, statical significance was only noticed for systolic blood pressure (P = 0.026), whereas no significant difference was observed for diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.27).

Conclusion: The exposed group suffered more compared with the unexposed group, except for when considering annoyance.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships among noise sensitivity, insomnia complaints, and sleep quality in earthquake survivors residing in container cities.

Methods: The study population comprised all adults residing in temporary shelters, and the sample consisted of 606 individuals. The cohort was subjected to power analysis (effect size = 0.28, α = 0.05, 95% confidence, and 0.95 power), and data were collected using the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale (WNSS), the Basic Scale on Insomnia Symptoms and Quality of Sleep (BaSIQS), and a Descriptive Characteristics Form.

Results: Sociodemographic factors, such as gender, marital status, occupation, perceived income, health status and parental status, were significantly correlated with insomnia complaints and sleep quality (P < 0.05). WNSS scores exhibited a positive correlation with age and container life characteristics, including challenges related to privacy and security, and exposure to noise from humans and vehicles (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were observed between the participants' BaSIQS and WNSS scores, including the subscales of sleep onset and awakening problems (r = 0.125-0.147, P ≤ 0.002). Participants identified as noise-sensitive (WNSS ≥99) had a significantly higher number of insomnia complaints and poorer sleep quality than the noise-insensitive participants (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Noise sensitivity is an important predictor of insomnia complaints and diminished sleep quality in earthquake survivors residing in container settlements. These results underscore the cumulative influence of environmental and psychosocial stressors on sleep in post-disaster temporary housing.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effect of a noise reduction strategy in inpatient wards on the postoperative recovery of elderly patients who underwent gastrointestinal tumor surgery.

Methods: The clinical data of 243 elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumors who underwent surgery in Ganzhou People's Hospital from March 2020 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients admitted from March 2020 to September 2021 were categorized as the regular group (receiving conventional perioperative management), and those admitted from October 2021 to March 2023 were categorized as the noise reduction group (receiving conventional perioperative management in combination with the ward noise reduction strategy). Ward noise levels at different times were recorded. The Chinese version of Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire was used to evaluate patients' sleep status before and after sleep management. The numerical rating scale (NRS) was employed to evaluate pain severity at different times. The Chinese version of the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-C) was applied to evaluate patients' quality of life before and after treatment.

Results: The average daytime noise, nighttime noise, and 24-hour average noise levels over a 7-day period were significantly lower in the noise reduction group than in the regular group (P < 0.05). The noise reduction group also showed significantly lower NRS and MDASI-C scores (P < 0.05). By contrast, measures of sleep, such as perceived sleep depth, sleep latency, wake-up times, sleep efficiency, and sleep quality scores, were significantly higher in the noise reduction group than in the regular group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The ward noise reduction strategy improved sleep quality, pain relief, and quality of life in older patients who underwent gastrointestinal tumor surgery, showing its potential as a safe and reliable perioperative management scheme.

Objective: In consideration of the benefits of antioxidant substances, this study evaluated the effect of resveratrol and melatonin in Wistar rats with or without exposure to high sound pressure levels (HISHLs).

Methods: This work is a prospective, comparative, longitudinal, in vivo experimental study involving Wistar rats. On Day 0, the animals underwent general health assessments, otoscopic examination and baseline hearing evaluations based on distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). They were divided into groups and treated with or without melatonin or resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day) for 14 consecutive days. From Day 5 onwards, the noise, resveratrol noise and melatonin noise groups were exposed to white noise (4 kHz; 100 ± 3 dB) for 8 hours per day for 10 days. Hearing assessments were repeated on Day 15 (D15) and Day 30 (D30). Data were analysed by using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, depending on distribution and normality.

Results: D15 and D30 evaluations revealed that the groups exposed to noise had statistically significantly worsened amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio of DPOAE compared with the groups that were not subjected to noise exposure. The analysis of the noise-exposed animals showed that DPOAE recovered partially in the melatonin and resveratrol groups at the end of the experiment (D30). The melatonin and resveratrol groups showed a statistically significant difference from the noise group, although their medians were even lower than those of the control group. ABR analysis showed that the electrophysiological auditory thresholds in the melatonin and resveratrol groups recovered at D30.

Conclusion: Melatonin and resveratrol demonstrated otoprotective effects on the hearing of Wistar rats exposed to HISHL.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of noise generated by ultrasonic bone scalpels (UBS) on cardiovascular stress responses in patients undergoing sinus floor elevation.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 120 patients requiring sinus floor elevation at our institution between February 2024 and February 2025. Participants were stratified into two groups based on surgical instrumentation: a UBS group (n = 60) and a conventional instrumentation group (n = 60). Intraoperative peak noise levels, heart rate variability indices, hemodynamic parameters, stress hormone concentrations, and anxiety scores were compared between groups.

Results: The UBS group showed significantly lower peak noise levels and shorter durations of high-intensity noise (P < 0.05) than the conventional instrumentation group. The decreases in the root mean square of successive normal-to-normal intervals (rMSSD) and standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals, as well as the increases in systolic/diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, were significantly less pronounced in the UBS group (P < 0.05) than in the conventional instrumentation group. Serum epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine levels significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Postoperative anxiety scores were also lower in the UBS group (P < 0.05) than in the conventional instrumentation group.

Conclusion: Compared with conventional tools, UBS may offer better control over noise-related acute cardiovascular stress responses. However, mild-to-moderate autonomic and hormonal stress responses persist (e.g., postoperative rMSSD reduction <20% of the baseline and E elevation 500 pg/mL, which is consistent with established thresholds for mild-to-moderate stress), and their interaction with anxiety requires further exploration.