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PubMed2001

Low frequency noise "pollution" interferes with performance.

To study the possible interference of low frequency noise on performance and annoyance, subjects categorised as having a high- or low sensitivity to noise in general and low frequency noise in particular worked with different performance tasks in a noise environment with predominantly low frequency content or flat frequency content (reference noise), both at a level of 40 dBA. The effects were evaluated in terms of changes in performance and subjective reactions. The results showed that there was a larger improvement of response time over time, during work with a verbal grammatical reasoning task in the reference noise, as compared to the low frequency noise condition. The results further indicated that low frequency noise interfered with a proof-reading task by lowering the number of marks made per line read. The subjects reported a higher degree of annoyance and impaired working capacity when working under conditions of low frequency noise. The effects were more pronounced for subjects rated as high-sensitive to low frequency noise, while partly different results were obtained for subjects rated as high-sensitive to noise in general. The results suggest that the quality of work performance and perceived annoyance may be influenced by a continuous exposure to low frequency noise at commonly occurring noise levels. Subjects categorised as high-sensitive to low frequency noise may be at highest risk.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

The effects of Carbogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen on noise-induced hearing loss.

An investigation into the effect of Carbogen (95% O2/5% CO2), 5% CO2/air, and 100% oxygen on cochlear threshold shifts caused by noise was undertaken. Five groups of eight pigmented guinea pigs were exposed to 105 dB broad band noise for 6 h per day for five consecutive days with each group receiving the various gaseous mixtures either during noise exposure or for 1 h immediately after noise exposure. A control group received the same noise exposure but respired air. Auditory threshold shifts, as measured by the auditory evoked brainstem response, were measured at 2,4,8,12,16, 20 and 24 kHz. Recordings were taken pre-exposure and at Day 1, 3, 5, and Weeks 2 and 3 after noise exposure. Carbogen, given during noise exposure, resulted in a trend toward less post noise exposure threshold shift (as compared to controls) which reached statistical significance by Week 3 at all frequencies except 2 and 20 kHz. Subjects given Carbogen after exposure also showed a general trend toward decreased noise induced threshold shifts, as compared to controls, but this was not statistically significant. The mixture of 5% CO2/air given during noise exposure yielded no difference in threshold shifts as compared to controls. When 100% oxygen was administered during noise exposure, a marked decrease in noise induced threshold shifts could be seen as compared to controls, with differences reaching statistical significance by day 5 at most frequencies. These results indicate that oxygen (i.e. cochlear-oxygenation) is a more important factor than CO2 (i.e., as a vasodilator) in protection of the cochlea from noise induced damage.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Frequency-specific cochlear damage in guinea pig after exposure to different types of realistic industrial noise.

For the causal evaluation of occupational hearing damage it is important to identify definitely the noise source. Here we tested, whether recordings of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in awake guinea pigs can distinguish the effects of different industrial noises. Six groups of 12 animals each were investigated before and over four months after a single 2 h exposure to specific, played-back industrial noise as well as before and for 2 months after impulse noise exposure. We compared broadband noise (buzz saw, bottle washing machine), low frequency noise (drawing press), and mid-frequency noise (bottle filling machine). All animals had stable DPOAE levels before noise exposure. Frequency specific decreases in DPOAEs were found after exposure to the different noises. Broadband noise diminished mostly all frequencies tested, whereas low- or mid-frequency noise had a greater effect on DPOAE evoked by middle and higher frequencies, respectively. DPOAE evoked by middle and higher frequencies were obliterated after impulse noise. Morphological analysis of the cochleae confirmed these alterations. OHC loss was found in the middle turns of the cochleae corresponding to the diminution of DPOAE. We conclude that different kinds of industrial noise tend to produce typical changes in DPOAE levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Protection for noise-induced hearing loss using active hearing protection systems].

Though noise induced hearing loss is no longer the most frequent occupational disease in the Federal Republic of Germany, the environmental pollution by the product "noise" in our technical and industrialized world has not been reduced. On the contrary, the situation is worsened by the rising influence of leisure noise. To avoid occupational hearing loss, the "Noise Injury Prevention Code" issued by the insurers would demand wearing personal ear protection, e.g. ear plugs, if ambient noise levels are above 85 dB(A). But there are working places in which such equipment would have precisely the adverse effect, because one of the reasons for possible damage to hearing is radio communication. In military aircraft cockpits for example noise exposure measurements showed ambient noise levels above 90 dB(A) during regular flight service nearly all the time. To be able to understand radio traffic in spite of the noisy environment, the headphone volume must be raised above the noise of the engines. The use of ear plugs can only be of limited value. Whereas pilots with normal hearing show only little impairment of speech intelligibility, those with noise-induced hearing losses show substantial impairment that varies in proportion to their hearing loss. Communication abilities may be drastically reduced which may compromise the reliability of radio traffic. To avoid compromising air security one has to demand a noise protection system which allows to reduce ambient noise levels without disturbing speech intelligibility in the inevitable radio communication. Nowadays active noise cancelling (ANC) systems by electronic compensation in different ways provide effective protection against noise induced hearing loss.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2006

Do ambient noise exposure levels predict hearing loss in a modern industrial cohort?

BACKGROUND: Much of what is known about the exposure-response relationship between occupational noise exposures and hearing loss comes from cross-sectional studies conducted before the widespread implementation of workplace hearing conservation programmes. Little is known about the current relationship of ambient noise exposure measurements to hearing loss risk. AIM: To examine the relationship between rates of high frequency hearing loss and measured levels of noise exposure in a modern industrial workforce. METHODS: Ten-year hearing loss rates were determined for 6217 employees of an aluminium manufacturing company. Industrial hygiene and human resources records allowed for reconstruction of individual noise exposures. Hearing loss rates were compared to ANSI 3.44 predictions based on age and noise exposure. Associations between hearing loss, noise exposure, and covariate risk factors were assessed using multivariate regression. RESULTS: Workers in higher ambient noise jobs tended to experience less high frequency hearing loss than co-workers exposed at lower noise levels. This trend was also seen in stratified analyses of white males and non-hunters. At higher noise exposure levels, the magnitude of hearing loss was less than predicted by ANSI 3.44 formulae. There was no indication that a healthy worker effect could explain these findings. The majority of 10 dB standard threshold shifts (STS) occurred in workers whose calculated ambient noise exposures were less than or equal to 85 dBA. CONCLUSIONS: In this modern industrial cohort, hearing conservation efforts appear to be reducing hearing loss rates, especially at higher ambient noise levels. This could be related to differential use of hearing protection. The greatest burden of preventable occupational hearing loss was found in workers whose noise exposure averaged 85 dBA or less. To further reduce rates of occupational hearing loss, hearing conservation programmes may require innovative approaches targeting workers with noise exposures close to 85 dBA.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Experience with urban traffic noise maps in Czechoslovakia and German Democratic Republic.

Noise mapping represents one of the valuable working tools in the implementation of communal noise abatement programs. Over the years 1965-1979 the communal noise conditions were mapped in several tens of towns, both in Czechoslovakia and GDR. In Czechoslovakia, noise mapping is based on standardized methodology of noise level measurement and on methodical guidelines for noise map construction; in GDR, unified basis is represented by provisions in execution of the law on environmental protection. The noise map data have led in many cases to revision of existing town development and transportation plans, to more accurate delimitation of urban zones, to establishment of noise-free zones, to prohibition of night-time traffic, and to acceptance of anti-noise measures at stable sources of communal noise. Decisive for the effective use of urban noise maps is, as a rule, the quality of accompanying written statement, the extent of cooperation with town planning and local government authorities, and whether the map had been produced in order to accomplish a clearly specified objective. However, it will take undoubtedly much more time to assess definitively the usefulness of noise mapping as a methodical tool in the control of community noise.

Automobiles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The frequency spectrum in the interaction between continuous and impulse noise: an anatomic functional evaluation].

In industrial setting impulse noise rarely occurs in isolation. Impulses are more often superimposed on a background of continuous noise. Since measurement of peak sound pressure level or energy considerations may not provide a sufficient index of danger to hearing, examining the frequency spectra of the noises appeared to be important. Seven groups of five chinchillas were used in this study. Four groups were exposed to octave bands of noise centered at 0.5, 2 or 4 kHz having intensities of 95, 90 and 86 dB SPL respectively or impulse noise of 113 dB peak SPL applied on time per 1 second. Three groups were exposed to the combination of impulse noise and one of the above continuous noises. Each exposure lasted five days. PTS was calculated on each animal using auditory evoked potentials. The cochleas were dissected and evaluated using conventional histological surface preparation and examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) employing a JEOL 35 microscope. The groups exposed to only the impulse or to continuous noise alone developed neither PTS nor hair cell loss. Considerable values of PTS and sensory cell loss were observed in animals exposed to impulse noise in combination with 2 and 4 kHz of continuous noise. This interaction effect increases as the spectral overlapping between the impulse and continuous noise increases. In these animals excellent information concerning the sensory cell losses or cell damage was obtained with SEM. The results of the present study demonstrate that interaction between impulse and continuous noise can indicate increased hazard, which is highly dependent not only upon the total energy of the complex exposure but also on the degree of spectral overlapping between impulse and continuous noise.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Embryotoxicity of various noise stimuli in the mouse.

Different noise exposure paradigms were studied to determine their teratogenic and embryo-fetotoxic potential in the CF-1 mouse. Female mice were exposed from days 1-6 or from days 6-15 of gestation to one of three noise exposure paradigms which differed widely in level, spectral, and temporal characteristics. Paradigms for noise exposure were chosen to represent semi-continuous exposure to extremely high-intensity noise (jet engine noise at 126 dBA, from noon to midnight); to represent startling type noise composed of alarm bells, jet engine noise, or narrow band warning devices at 110 dBA, with pseudorandom onset and duration of each controlled by a microprocessor (exposure time of 18% over each 24 hour period); and finally to represent very high frequency noise (18-20 kHz tones, derived from a device commercially marketed for repelling rodents, with exposure from noon to midnight). On day 18 of gestation the females were sacrificed, their reproduction status determined, and the concepti were examined for toxicity and for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations. Maternal plasma corticosterone levels were measured at different periods of gestation. Significantly decreased pregnancy rate was noted in all groups exposed to noise except in the group exposed to the very high frequency noise from days 6-15 of gestation. Significant embryolethal effects occurred in the group exposed to the extremely high intensity jet noise paradigm, from days 1-6 of gestation, and significant fetolethal effects occurred in the group exposed to the very high frequency noise paradigm from days 6-15 of gestation. No significant noise-related changes were noted in the incidence of structural alterations or in the concentration of plasma corticosterone.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Disturbances caused by noise in offices].

Noise measurements were carried out in 57 offices. At the same time 228 employees were asked about their opinion on the noise situation. Relations between objective and subjective criteria, noise values and complaints about disturbance caused by different types of noise were analyzed. Noise parameters comprising noise peaks are more adequate to assess disturbing noise than parameters based on a mean noise level. Statements on extent and frequency of disturbance in general and of communication depend on noise. Statements on disturbances of concentration and on impairment of performance do not depend on noise. Outdoor noise and "subjectively worst noise" are measurable in dB values; indoor noise, however, is independent from the measured values.

Achievement↗
PubMed2000

Background noise differentially effects temporal coding by tonic units in the mouse inferior colliculus.

In natural environments, temporally complex signals often occur in a background of noise. The neural mechanisms underlying the preservation of temporal sensitivity in background noise are poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the ability of inferior colliculus (IC) units with primary-like and sustained response patterns ('tonic units') to encode silent gaps in quiet and in background noise. Minimum gap thresholds (MGTs), the shortest silent gap in a noise burst evoking a neural response, were measured in quiet and background noise for 34 IC units. Units were classified as background noise resistant (BNR; MGT did not change in background noise) or background noise sensitive (BNS; MGTs became elevated in background noise). In quiet, the MGTs of BNR and BNS units were comparable and both types of units encoded the gap by a cessation of activity during the gap. The addition of background noise had little effect on the response rate of BNR units either during or after the gap stimulus. In contrast, for BNS units, background noise reduced the response rate during the gap stimulus while increasing the response rate after the gap stimulus. Background noise also altered the first spike latency of BNS units. For BNS units, the mean first spike latency was no longer inversely related to BF, but this relationship was maintained in BNR units. These results suggest that the response of BNS units to background noise obliterates their response to the gap stimulus.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2002

The role of free oxygen radicals in noise induced hearing loss: effects of melatonin and methylprednisolone.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of cochlear damage caused by free oxygen radicals occurring as a result of exposure to noise and to determine the prophylactic effects of melatonin and methylprednisolone. Fifty male albino guinea pigs were randomly divided into five groups. All groups were exposed to 60 h of continuous wide band noise at 100+/-2 dB, except group I. Group I was not exposed to noise or treated with drugs. Group II was exposed to noise and not treated with drugs. Group III was exposed to noise and treated with melatonin. Group IV was exposed to noise and treated with methylprednisolone. Group V was exposed to noise and treated with melatonin and methylprednisolone. A high dose of 40 mg/kg methylprednisolone and/or 20 mg/kg melatonin were administered intramuscularly 24 h before exposure to noise, immediately before noise exposure and once a day until noise exposure was completed. Just after the noise ended, guinea pigs were decapitated. Venous blood was obtained into tubes with EDTA and it was used to measure activity levels of plasma malondialdehyde, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and the cochlear tissue malondialdehyde. After the noise ended, in comparison group II with I; it was found that the malondialdehyde activity of the plasma and tissue had increased, the erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity levels had decreased and consequently, hearing thresholds had increased (P<0.01). A significant difference was found in the malondialdehyde and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity levels between groups II and III (P<0.01) and the hearing thresholds exhibited a parallel trend (P<0.05). The hearing threshold and malondialdehyde activity levels obtained from groups IV and V were found to be similar to those of group II (P>0.05). As a conclusion, we suggest that the use of methlyprednisolone in order to prevent the cochlear damage caused by noise does not provide sufficient prophylaxy, however the use of melatonin provides a more effective prophylaxy, thus being a promising alternative.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

A cepstrum-based technique for determining a harmonics-to-noise ratio in speech signals.

A new method to calculate a spectral harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) in speech signals is presented. The method involves discrimination between harmonic and noise energy in the magnitude spectrum by means of a comb-liftering operation in the cepstrum domain. Sensitivity of HNR to (a) additive noise and (b) jitter was tested with synthetic vowel-like signals, generated at 10 fundamental frequencies. All jitter and noise signals were analyzed at three window lengths in order to investigate the effect of the length of the analysis frame on the estimated HNR values. Results of a multiple linear regression analysis with noise or jitter, F0, and window length as predictors for HNR indicate a major effect of both noise and jitter on HNR, in that HNR decreases almost linearly with increasing noise levels or increasing jitter. The influence of F0 and window length on HNR is small for the jittered signals, but HNR increases considerably with increasing F0 or window length for the noise signals. We conclude that the method seems to be a valid technique for determining the amount of spectral noise, because it is almost linearly sensitive to both noise and jitter for a large part of the noise or jitter continuum. The strong negative relation between HNR and jitter illustrates that spectral noise measures cannot simply be taken as indicators of the actual amount of noise in the time signal. Instead, HNR integrates several aspects of the acoustic stability of the signal. As such, HNR may be a useful parameter in the analysis of voice quality, although it cannot be directly interpreted in terms of underlying glottal events or perceptual characteristics.

Communication Devices for People with Disabilities↗
PubMed2004

Noise reduction results of an adaptive filtering technique for dual-microphone behind-the-ear hearing aids.

OBJECTIVE: The performance of an adaptive beam-former in a 2-microphone, behind-the-ear hearing aid for speech understanding in noisy environments was evaluated. Physical and perceptual evaluations were carried out. This was the first large-scale test of a wearable real-time implementation of this algorithm. The main perceptual research questions of this study were related to the influence on the noise reduction performance of (1) the spectro-temporal character of the jammer sound, (2) the jammer sound scene, (3) hearing impairment, and (4) the basic microphone configuration in the hearing aid. Four different speech materials were used for the perceptual evaluations. All tests were carried out in an acoustical environment comparable to living room reverberation. DESIGN: The adaptive beamformer was implemented in Audallion, a small, body-worn processor, linked to a Danasound 2-microphone behind-the-ear aid. The strategy was evaluated physically in different acoustical environments. Using speech reception threshold (SRT) measurements, the processing was evaluated perceptually and the different research questions addressed with three groups of subjects. Groups I, II, and III consisted of 10 normal-hearing, 5 hearing-impaired, and 7 normal-hearing persons, respectively. The tests were carried out in three spectro-temporally different jammer sounds (unmodulated and modulated speech weighted noise, multitalker babble) and in three different noise scenarios (single noise source at 90 degrees, noise sources at 90 degrees and 270 degrees relative to speaker position, diffuse noise scene). Two microphone configurations were compared: a device equipped with two omnidirectional microphones and a device equipped with one hardware directional and one omnidirectional microphone. In each of these conditions, the adaptive beamformer and the directional and omnidirectional microphone configurations were tested. RESULTS: The improvement in signal-to-noise ratio from the use of the adaptive beamformer did not depend on the spectro-temporal character of the jammer sounds and the speech materials used, although the absolute levels of the SRTs varied appreciably for different speech-noise combinations. The performance of the adaptive noise reduction depended on the jammer sound scene. CONCLUSIONS: No difference in signal-to-noise ratio improvement was observed between hearing-impaired and normal-hearing listeners, although individual SRT levels may differ. On average, an SRT improvement of 7.7 and 3.9 dB for a single noise source at 90 degrees and 5.9 and 3.4 dB for two noise sources at 90 degrees and 270 degrees was obtained for both normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners, using the adaptive beamformer and the directional microphone, respectively, relative to the omnidirectional microphone signal. In diffuse noise, only small improvements were obtained.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The nursing home at night: effects of an intervention on noise, light, and sleep.

OBJECTIVES: The sleep of nursing home residents is fragmented by frequent awakening episodes associated, at least in part, with environmental variables, including noise and light changes. The purpose of this study was to improve sleep by reducing the frequency of nighttime noise and light changes. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Two hundred sixty-seven incontinent nursing home residents in eight nursing homes. DESIGN: A randomized control group design with a delayed intervention for the control group. MEASUREMENTS: Bedside noise and light monitors recorded the number of 2-minute intervals at night with peak sounds recorded above 50 dBs and the number of light changes of at least 10 lux between adjacent 2-minute intervals. Daytime behavioral observations measured sleep and in-bed time during the day, and wrist activity was used to estimate sleep at night. Awakening events associated with the environmental variables were derived from the wrist activity data. INTERVENTION: A behavioral intervention implemented between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. that involved feedback to nursing home staff about noise levels and implementation by research staff of procedures to both abate noise (e.g., turn off unwatched television sets) and to individualize nighttime incontinence care routines to be less disruptive to sleep. RESULTS: Noise was reduced significantly, from an average of 83 intervals per night with peak noises recorded above 50 dBs to an average of 58 intervals per night in the group that received the initial intervention, whereas noise in the control group showed no change (MANOVA group x time P < .001). All 10-dB categories of noise from 50 to 90+ dBs were reduced, and light changes were reduced from an average of four per night per resident to two per night (P < .001). Despite these significant changes in the environmental variables, there was a significant differential improvement in the intervention group on only two night sleep measures: awakening associated with a combination of noise plus light (P < .001) and awakening associated with light (P < .001). However, there was a significant correlation between change in noise and change in percent sleep from baseline to intervention (r = -.29, P < .05), suggesting that the intervention did not reduce noise to low enough levels to produce a significant improvement in sleep. The intervention effects on all environmental variables were replicated in the delayed intervention group, who again showed significant improvement on the same sleep measures. Observations of day sleep and in-bed time did not change over the phases of the trial for either group. CONCLUSION: The significant reductions in noise and light events resulting from the intervention did not lead to significant improvements in the day sleep and most night sleep measures. An intervention that combines both behavioral and environmental strategies and that addresses daytime behavioral factors associated with poor sleep (e.g., excessive time in bed) would potentially be more effective in improving the night sleep and quality of life of nursing home residents.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Detection of whale calls in noise: performance comparison between a beluga whale, human listeners, and a neural network.

This article examines the masking by anthropogenic noise of beluga whale calls. Results from human masking experiments and a software backpropagation neural network are compared to the performance of a trained beluga whale. The goal was to find an accurate, reliable, and fast model to replace lengthy and expensive animal experiments. A beluga call was masked by three types of noise, an icebreaker's bubbler system and propeller noise, and ambient arctic ice-cracking noise. Both the human experiment and the neural network successfully modeled the beluga data in the sense that they classified the noises in the same order from strongest to weakest masking as the whale and with similar call-detection thresholds. The neural network slightly outperformed the humans. Both models were then used to predict the masking of a fourth type of noise, Gaussian white noise. Their prediction ability was judged by returning to the aquarium to measure masked-hearing thresholds of a beluga in white noise. Both models and the whale identified bubbler noise as the strongest masker, followed by ramming, then white noise. Natural ice-cracking noise masked the least. However, the humans and the neural network slightly overpredicted the amount of masking for white noise. This is neglecting individual variation in belugas, because only one animal could be trained. Comparing the human model to the neural network model, the latter has the advantage of objectivity, reproducibility of results, and efficiency, particularly if the interference of a large number of signals and noise is to be examined.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Noise and health in the urban environment.

Noise, including noise from transport, industry, and neighbors, is a prominent feature of the urban environment. This paper reviews the effects of environmental noise on the non-auditory aspects of health in urban settings. Exposure to transport noise disturbs sleep in the laboratory, but generally not in field studies, where adaptation occurs. Noise interferes with complex task performance, modifies social behavior, and causes annoyance. Studies of occupational noise exposure suggest an association with hypertension, whereas community studies show only weak relations between noise and cardiovascular disease. Aircraft and road-traffic noise exposure are associated with psychological symptoms and with the use of psychotropic medication, but not with the onset of clinically defined psychiatric disorders. In carefully controlled studies, noise exposure does not seem to be related to low birth weight or to congenital birth defects. In both industrial studies and community studies, noise exposure is related to increased catecholamine secretion. In children, chronic aircraft noise exposure impairs reading comprehension and long-term memory and may be associated with increased blood pressure. Noise from neighbors causes annoyance and sleep and activity interference health effects have been little studied. Further research is needed for examining coping strategies and the possible health consequences of adaptation to noise.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Road traffic noise in southern Sweden and its relation to annoyance, disturbance of daily activities and health.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated residential noise from road traffic and its relation to annoyance, disturbance of daily activities, and general health. METHODS: A large public health survey in southern Sweden in 1999-2000 supplied data (N=13 557; 54% participation rate) on the demography, annoyance, and disturbance of daily activities, and on general health problems regarding concentration, sleep, stress, and treatment for hypertension. Residential road noise exposure was assessed with a geographic information system. Associations with 24-hour equivalent (average) and maximum road noise level were investigated for all participants and for selected subgroups using the Cochran-Armitage trend test and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Annoyance from road traffic noise and the disturbance of daily activities increased markedly with road noise exposure. More than 25% reported at least occasional disturbance from traffic noise during relaxation and sleep in the highest exposure category for each noise measure. No overall pattern between road noise exposure and general health problems emerged. Among the participants that reported annoyance from road traffic noise (N=623), the average road noise level was associated with concentration problems (P for trend = 0.03) and with treatment for hypertension (P for trend = 0.02). Positive associations between average road noise exposure and health problems were found among females (hypertension), persons born outside Sweden (sleep), the unemployed (stress), and participants that reported financial problems (concentration problems). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to road traffic noise at high levels was common and produced frequent disturbances of daily activities. Negative health effects from road traffic noise were observed in important subgroups. The findings are of concern for southern Sweden, as well as for other regions with similar or higher traffic intensity.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Effectiveness of noise barriers on an interstate highway: a subjective and objective evaluation.

The objective of this study was to determine the actual and perceived effectiveness of noise barriers along interstate highways. Using a 5-mile section of Interstate 71 in the greater Cincinnati area as the study area, traffic noise readings and opinions of residents living along the sections of the highway were recorded. Noise readings were taken before and after the noise barriers were erected. A questionnaire was designed to elicit noise-related annoyance of the residents in the areas adjoining the highway. The results indicated that, in general, noise barriers were effective as indicated by a reduction in noise levels by as much as 11 dBA. The barriers, however, failed to bring noise levels for locations closer to the highway within the levels desired by the government (67 dBA). Most residents living right next to the highway were very satisfied with the installation of noise barriers. In general, these individuals felt that the quality of life improved with the noise barrier installation. The same, however, was not true of residents living a few blocks away from the highway--they felt the noise barriers were a waste of money. There was no significant difference in traffic noise pattern during the weekdays or weekends. Noise readings taken in two different locations were observed to be similar.

Analysis of Variance↗