EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE AND WORK QUALITY DUE TO LOW FREQUENCY VENTILATION NOISE

• Published in: Journal of sound and vibration 1997-08, Vol.205 (4), p.467-474
• Main Authors: Persson Waye, K., Rylander, R., Benton, S., Leventhall, H.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cognition. Intelligence; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Miscellaneous; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology
• ISSN: 0022-460X; 1095-8568
• DOI: 10.1006/jsvi.1997.1013

A pilot study was carried out to assess method evaluating effects of low frequency noise on performance. Of special interest was to study objective and subjective effects over time. Two ventilation noises were used, one of a predominantly mid frequency character and the other of a predominantly low frequency character. Both had an NC value of 35. For the study, 50 students were recruited and 30 selected on the basis of subjective reports of pressure on the eardrum after exposure to a low frequency noise. Of these, 14 randomly selected subjects aged 21 and 34 took part. The subjects performed three computerized cognitive tests in the mid frequency or the low frequency noise condition alternatively. Tests I and II were performed together with a secondary task. Questionnaires were used to evaluate subjective symptoms, effects on mood and estimated interference with the test results due to temperature, light and noise. The results showed that the subjective estimations of noise interference with performance were higher for the low frequency noise (p