The Role of individual susceptibility to the effects of low frequency noise on cognitive Performance

Low-frequency noise, even at low levels, is annoying and affects the cognitive Performances of individuals. Some individual differences, such as sensitivity, can reduce or increase the effect of noise on cognitive Performances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of noise sensitivity on cognitive performance in the exposure of low frequency noise.

This is an interventional study. The study population was Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. 120 of them were selected through purposeful sampling (60 high sensitivities and 60 low sensitivity). By simulating the real environment of each person, they were exposed to 50, 60 and 70 dB for 40 minutes. During the encounter, the cognitive Performances of the subjects were examined using the integrated visual-auditory continuous performance test. SPSS20 software and data using independent t-test and ANOVA were studied.

The results showed that low-frequency noise negatively affects the components of cognitive Performances and decreases cognitive Performances by increasing the noise level from 50 to 70 dB and from 125 to 250 Hz (p <0.05). The study of the effect of the sensitivity of the subjects showed that in patients with high sensitivity, cognitive Performances were more affected than those with low sensitivity and the difference between the two groups was significant (p <0.05).

The results showed that increasing the level of noise pressure reduces the auditory components of the types of attention and quality of work, and this negative effect is higher in people with high sensitivity to low frequency noise