Noise & Health最新文献

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of ward noise reduction on physiological indicators and psychological stress responses in patients after skin plastic surgery.

Method: This retrospective study analysed data from 130 patients. The conventional group comprised 68 patients who did not receive noise reduction management between August 2021 and June 2023, whereas the noise reduction group comprised 62 patients who received such management between July 2023 and August 2024. Wound pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at multiple time points. Psychological stress responses were measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Sleep quality was assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and physiological indicators included heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Ward's sound intensity was also recorded. Comparisons were made between groups before and 2 weeks after noise reduction.

Results: Two weeks after noise reduction, the noise reduction group demonstrated significantly lower VAS scores, State Anxiety Inventory and Trait Anxiety Inventory subscale scores of the STAI, BDI scores, AIS scores, HR, SBP and DBP than the conventional group (P < 0.05). Ward sound intensity was also significantly lower in the noise reduction group than in the conventional group within the 2-week period (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Ward noise reduction can alleviate early postoperative pain in patients undergoing skin plastic surgery, reduce psychological stress responses, their associated physiological effects and improve sleep quality.

Despite increasing awareness of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), unsafe listening behaviours remain prevalent, particularly amongst young adults using personal listening devices. Research indicates that awareness campaigns alone are insufficient in changing behaviour due to psychological biases, social norms and environmental constraints. Whilst these campaigns may increase knowledge, they often fail to address the behavioural and structural barriers that drive unsafe listening habits. In this paper, a multidimensional approach to NIHL prevention is presented, integrating behavioural science, technology and policy interventions. By examining the cognitive, social and environmental factors influencing listening behaviours, this paper highlights the need for interventions beyond traditional awareness efforts, emphasising behaviourally driven strategies that foster sustainable change.

Background: Tolerability issues with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) have spurred interest in nonpharmacological alternatives like sound-based interventions (wind instrument training, singing and music therapy) for improving upper airway function and sleep quality.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (through March 2024) identified studies evaluating the effects of wind instrument training, vocal interventions (singing or speech therapy) or music therapy on OSA-related outcomes and sleep quality. Eight studies, specifically, four randomised controlled trials, one before-after quasi-experimental study and three cross-sectional observational studies, were included.

Results: Wind instrument training, particularly that with high-resistance instruments, showed moderate effectiveness in reducing OSA severity and improving sleep outcomes, although no significant improvements in pulmonary function were reported. Music-based interventions (e.g., passive bedtime listening) had mixed effects on sleep quality. Some evidence indicated that structured vocal exercises (singing or speech therapy) can reduce snoring and enhance outcomes when combined with CPAP, but results varied across studies. Overall, sound-based interventions demonstrated potential benefits for OSA, although heterogeneity amongst studies was high.

Conclusions: This review highlights sound-based interventions as a unique and promising nonpharmacological treatment for OSA. In contrast to CPAP, which has a mechanical approach, these strategies aim to improve airway patency via upper airway muscle training and may serve as alternatives or adjuncts for patients intolerant of CPAP. Although moderate evidence supports their ability to improve sleep quality and OSA symptoms, outcomes remain inconsistent. The noninvasive, low-cost nature of sound-based interventions underscores substantial clinical potential. Large multicentre trials with long follow-ups and direct comparisons with CPAP are warranted to validate efficacy and clarify underlying mechanisms.

Noise in schools is widely recognized as having detrimental effects on cognitive performance, communication, and emotional well-being. However, schools are dynamic and vibrant environments in which sound is not merely an incidental element but a defining aspect of daily experience. This opinion paper advocates for a paradigm shift in school acoustic design from a narrow emphasis on noise control to a holistic soundscape approach that balances the reduction of negative sounds with the enhancement of positive acoustic elements. Sound should be considered a resource that actively supports well-being, engagement, and learning, rather than solely a source of disturbance. Drawing on recent research and user perspectives, several design recommendations are proposed, including the incorporation of restorative natural sounds (e.g., birdsong, rainfall), the implementation of acoustic zoning, the creation of culturally sensitive soundscapes, and the use of sound as a tool for both engagement and restoration. These strategies extend beyond classroom acoustics to address diverse school spaces, including corridors, dining halls, and outdoor areas. By integrating participatory approaches and ongoing evaluation, school environments can be transformed into soundscapes that promote comfort, connection, and resilience for both students and teachers.

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.

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.

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.