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Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate how different types of background noise that differ in their level of linguistic content affect speech acoustics, speech fluency, and language production for young adult speakers when performing a monologue discourse task. Method: Forty young adults monologued by responding to open-ended questions in a silent baseline and five background noise conditions (debate, movie dialogue, contemporary music, classical music, and pink noise). Measures related to speech acoustics (intensity and frequency), speech fluency (speech rate, pausing, and disfluencies), and language production (lexical, morphosyntactic, and macrolinguistic structure) were analyzed and compared across conditions. Participants also reported on which conditions they perceived as more distracting. Results: All noise conditions resulted in some change to spoken language compared with the silent baseline. Effects on speech acoustics were consistent with expected changes due to the Lombard effect (e.g., increased intensity and fundamental frequency). Effects on speech fluency showed decreased pausing and increased disfluencies. Several background noise conditions also seemed to interfere with language production. Conclusions: Findings suggest that young adults present with both compensatory and interference effects when speaking in noise. Several adjustments may facilitate intelligibility when noise is present and help both speaker and listener maintain attention on the production. Other adjustments provide evidence that background noise eliciting linguistic interference has the potential to degrade spoken language even for healthy young adults, because of increased cognitive demands., Everyday communication situations often involve the presence of background noise from mobile devices, televisions, radio, traffic, or other people. Background noise may be considered a type of environmental distraction that [...]

Marine crustaceans are influenced by numerous environmental factors. Environmental stress from pollutants seems to affect their metabolism, growth, moulting, survival, and immune defence. Recently, it has become clear that there is an impact of the global increase in sea noise levels due to shipping traffic on crustacean welfare. Considering the ecological and commercial importance of the European spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787)) in most parts of the Mediterranean coastal area, in the present study we investigated whether shipping noise pollution contribute to changing the immune parameters of stress in the European spiny lobster. The animals were exposed to a mix of noises produced by different typologies of the boat played back in a tank, and the values of cellular and humeral parameters were evaluated. Total haemocyte count (THC), haemolymphatic protein concentration, phenoloxidase (PO) activity in cell-free haemolymph, and heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) expression in haemocyte lysate were considered potential biomarkers of stress. THC and PO activity decreased significantly, whereas total protein and Hsp27 expression increased significantly. Overall, the results demonstrate that the stressful conditions investigated in this study affect both cellular and biochemical parameters in the European spiny lobster. Key words: European spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas, noise pollution, immune response, PO activity, Hsp27. Les crustaces marins sont sous l'influence de nombreux facteurs environnementaux. Le stress environnemental provenant des polluants semble avoir un impact sur le metabolisme, le developpement, la mue, la capacite de survie et les defenses immunitaires. Il a recemment ete decouvert que l'influence croissante du niveau sonore marin, cause par le trafic maritime, avait un impact non negligeable sur la sante des crustaces. Compte tenu de l'importance economique et ecologique de la langouste europeenne (Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787)) tout au long de la cote Mediterraneenne, nous nous sommes demande dans cette etude si la pollution sonore liee au trafic maritime jouait un role sur les parametres du stress immunitaire de la langouste europeenne. Pour le verifier, ces animaux ont ete places dans des aquariums et ont ete exposes a un echantillon de bruits produits par differents bateaux. Pour cela, des donnees sur les parametres cellulaires et humorales ont ete recenses. Les parametres suivants tels que : le compte total d'haemocyte (THC), la concentration en proteines haemolymphatiques, l'activite de la phenoloxidase (PO) sur les cellules libres de l'haemolymphe, l'expression de la proteine de choc thermique 27 (Hsp27) sur l'haemocyte lysate, ont ete consideres comme de potentiels indicateurs de stress. Le THC et l'activite du PO presentent des baisses significatives tandis que le taux de proteines et l'expression du Hsp27 ont augmentes de manieres significatives. Dans l'ensemble, les resultats de cette etude ont montre que les parametres de stress qui ont ete testes dans ce cas ont un impact, a la fois sur les parametres cellulaires et biochimiques de la langouste europeenne. Mots-cles: langouste europeenne, Palinurus elephas, la pollution sonore, la reponse immunitaire, l'activite du PO, Hsp27., Introduction The underwater noise generated by human activities in the marine environment includes commercial shipping, offshore construction, sonar exploration, seismic surveys, and underwater explosions. These sounds have increased in both [...]

Purpose: A phonological deficit is thought to affect most individuals with developmental dyslexia. The present study addresses whether the phonological deficit is caused by difficulties with perceptual learning of fine acoustic details. Method: A demanding test of nonverbal auditory memory, 'noise learning,' was administered to both adults with dyslexia and control adult participants. On each trial, listeners had to decide whether a stimulus was a 1-s noise token or 2 abutting presentations of the same 0.5-s noise token (repeated noise). Without the listener's knowledge, the exact same noise tokens were presented over many trials. An improved ability to perform the task for such 'reference' noises reflects learning of their acoustic details. Results: Listeners with dyslexia did not differ from controls in any aspect of the task, qualitatively or quantitatively. They required the same amount of training to achieve discrimination of repeated from nonrepeated noises, and they learned the reference noises as often and as rapidly as the control group. However, they did show all the hallmarks of dyslexia, including a well-characterized phonological deficit. Conclusion: The data did not support the hypothesis that deficits in basic auditory processing or nonverbal learning and memory are the cause of the phonological deficit in dyslexia. Key Words: developmental dyslexia, perceptual learning, phonological deficit, Developmental dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that specifically disrupts the acquisition of reading and spelling; it affects about 3-7% of school children (Lindgren, De Renzi, & Richman, 1985; World Health [...]

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different speech conditions on background noise acceptance. A total of 23 stimulus pairings, differing in primary talker gender (female, male, conventional), number of background talkers (1,4,12), and gender composition of the background noise (female, male, mixed) were used to evaluate background noise acceptance. Method: A repeated measures research design was used. Participants were 15 female and 15 male young adults with normal hearing. Background noise acceptance was evaluated with the acceptable noise level (ANL). Results: The results revealed main effects of primary talker gender, number of background talkers, and listener gender. ANL was lower for conditions of a female primary talker and for conditions with multitalker backgrounds. Male listeners had significantly lower ANLs than female listeners. An interaction occurred between primary talker and background noise composition. For female primary talker conditions, the male talker backgrounds produced the lowest ANLs. For male primary talker conditions, the lowest ANLs were obtained with the female and male background talker conditions. Conclusions: Background noise acceptance depends on the listener and the stimulus condition. Stimulus selection can influence the measurement of ANL. The results support the use of the commercially available ANL materials. Key Words: background noise acceptance, acceptable noise level, most comfortable listening level, background noise level, Individuals who are willing to accept more background noise while listening to speech tend to be more successful with hearing aids than individuals who are less willing to accept background [...]

Keywords: Parkinson's disease, hypophonia, speech intensity, Lombard effect Reduced speech intensity or hypophonia often is a consequence of hypokinetic dysarthria associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Because the impact of hypophonia [...]

Byline: Franco Cavaliere (1), Giorgio Conti (1), Roberta Costa (1), Rodolfo Proietti (1), Antonino Sciuto (2), Simonetta Masieri (2) Keywords: Non invasive ventilation; Helmet; Nasal mask; Facial mask; Noise exposure Abstract: Objective To assess noise exposure during noninvasive ventilation (NIV) with different types of interface (helmet, nasal, and facial masks). Subjects and methods Ten 'naive' healthy volunteers underwent NIV at pressure support levels of 10 and 15 cm[H.sub.2]O with: (a) helmet, (b) helmet equipped with HME filters at the junctions between the helmet and the inspiratory and expiratory branches of the respiratory circuit, (c) nasal mask, and (d) facial mask. Noise intensity was assessed with a sound level meter by placing a microphone near the right ear. Noise intensity and degree of discomfort were also assessed subjectively with a visual analogue scale. Results Inside the helmet noise exceeded 100 dB. Noise intensity was poorly affected by pressure support level and unaffected by the presence of HME filters. During NIV with nasal or facial masks the noise did not exceed 70 dB (i.e., noise was not louder than the usual noise background in ICU). Subjective evaluation of noise intensity mirrored objective measurements however, the presence of HME filters was associated with the feeling of less noise inside the helmet. The discomfort associated with the helmet did not significantly differ from that associated with the masks. Conclusions NIV helmet is associated with significantly greater noise than nasal and facial masks, but is as comfortable as masks, at least in the short term. Medium- and long-term exposure to loud noise may potentially impair ear function and increase the patient's discomfort. Author Affiliation: (1) Institute of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy (2) ENT Department, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy Article History: Registration Date: 17/05/2004 Received Date: 12/05/2004 Accepted Date: 17/05/2004 Online Date: 08/06/2004

Background: Epidemiological studies have indicated that noise exposure is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the nature of the connection between noise exposure and T2DM remains to be explored. OBJECTIVES: We explored whether and how noise exposure affects glucose homeostasis in mice as the initial step toward T2DM development. METHODS: Male ICR mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups: the control group and three noise groups (N20D, N10D, and N1D), in which the animals were exposed to white noise at 95 decibel sound pressure level (dB SPL) for 4 hr per day for 20 successive days, 10 successive days, or 1 day, respectively. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were evaluated 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after the final noise exposure (1DPN, 1WPN, and 1MPN). Standard immunoblots, immunohistochemical methods, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed to assess insulin signaling in skeletal muscle, the morphology of β cells, and plasma corticosterone levels. RESULTS: Noise exposure for 1 day caused transient glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, whereas noise exposure for 10 and 20 days had no effect on glucose tolerance but did cause prolonged insulin resistance and an increased insulin response to glucose challenge. Akt phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation in response to exogenous insulin were decreased in the skeletal muscle of noise-exposed animals. CONCLUSIONS: Noise exposure at 95 dB SPL caused insulin resistance in male ICR mice, which was prolonged with longer noise exposure and was likely related to the observed blunted insulin signaling in skeletal muscle. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP162, Introduction Noise, defined as 'unwanted sound,' is one of the most widespread sources of environmental pollution. Beyond its effects on the auditory system, noise exposure has been associated with several [...]

Health care professionals should take it upon themselves to create a quieter hospital environment conducive to healing and scholarly exchanges. Modern hospitals are characterized by the noise of pagers, intercom systems, call buttons, monitoring systems, electronic intravenous machines and computer printers. The recommended noise levels for hospitals are 45 decibels (dB) during the day and 35 dB at night. Actual noise levels in hospitals range between 50 dB and 70 dB during the day, and the average nighttime level is 67 dB. Noise-induced sleep disturbances among hospital patients are frequent, and, in one survey, 50% of hospital patients complained of noise. In addition to sleep loss, noise impairs cognition and promotes anti-social behavior. To lower hospital noise levels, staff should try to avoid shouting and handle equipment carefully and quietly. Other noise control measures include designing hospitals with better sound absorption properties, creating quiet areas and developing quieter equipment and modified alarm systems.

Background: Traffic noise has been associated with prevalence of hypertension, but reports are inconsistent for blood pressure (BP). To ascertain noise effects and to disentangle them from those suspected to be from traffic-related air pollution, it may be essential to estimate people's noise exposure indoors in bedrooms. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed associations between long-term exposure to indoor traffic noise in bedrooms and prevalent hypertension and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP, considering long-term exposure to outdoor nitrogen dioxide (N[O.sub.2]). METHODS: We evaluated 1,926 cohort participants at baseline (years 2003--2006; Girona, Spain). Outdoor annual average levels of nighttime traffic noise ([L.sub.night]) and N[O.sub.2] were estimated at postal addresses with a detailed traffic noise model and a land-use regression model, respectively. Individual indoor traffic [L.sub.night] levels were derived from outdoor [L.sub.night] with application of insulations provided by reported noise-reducing factors. We assessed associations for hypertension and BP with multi-exposure logistic and linear regression models, respectively. RESULTS: Median levels were 27.1 dB(A) (indoor [L.sub.night]), 56.7 dB(A) (outdoor [L.sub.night]), and 26.8 µg/[m.sup.3] (N[O.sub.2]). Spearman correlations between outdoor and indoor [L.sub.night] with N[O.sub.2] were 0.75 and 0.23, respectively. Indoor [L.sub.night] was associated both with hypertension (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.13) and SBP (β = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.29, 1.15) per 5 dB(A); and N[O.sub.2] was associated with hypertension (OR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.36), SBP (P = 1.23; 95% CI: 0.21, 2.25), and DBP (β = 0.56; 95% CI: -0.03, 1.14) per 10 µg/[m.sup.3]. In the outdoor noise model, [L.sub.night] was associated only with hypertension and N[O.sub.2] with BP only. The indoor noise--SBP association was stronger and statistically significant with a threshold at 30 dB(A). CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to indoor traffic noise was associated with prevalent hypertension and SBP, independently of N[O.sub.2]. Associations were less consistent for outdoor traffic [L.sub.night] and likely affected by collinearity. Environ Health Perspect 122:1193-1200; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307156, Introduction Long-term exposure to outdoor traffic noise has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Babisch 2006). The biological pathway involves noise-stress reactions related to hormonal and cardiovascular responses that, under [...]

Noisy classrooms, due to poor acoustics, ventilation problems, or activity outside the classroom, can negatively affect teachers and students. The author argues teachers can suffer from vocal problems from having to raise their voice, and students are often distracted by noise which can impede their learning process.

Byline: Rubel Biswas Chowdhury, Mohammad Sujauddin, M. Shafiul Alam, Priyanka Chakraborty The amplitude and intensity of traffic-induced noise at the environmental setup of the educational institutions in Chittagong City, Bangladesh were investigated. Average maximum and minimum sound levels in the study area ranged from 65.46 to 82.24 dB and 60.63 to 70.89 dB, respectively. Noise at all the studied educational institutions exceeded the safe limit (45 dB) as prescribed by the Department of Environment, Bangladesh and World Health Organization. Sound levels showed a significant (P = 0.000) declining trend with increase in the distance from the source of noise. Among the noise-induced physical health problems, headache (69%) and among the mental health problems, lack of concentration in study (78%) was expressed by the maximum number of students. The findings of the study can be considered as baseline data for the decision makers in formulating policies and guidelines regarding the control of noise pollution in the context of educational institutions.

Exposure to moderate-level sounds prevents a shift in brain circuits in mice that is linked to ear ringing. Exposure to moderate-level sounds prevents a shift in brain circuits in mice that is linked to ear ringing., Author Affiliations: White noise lowers tinnitus risk When loud noises damage the inner ear, many people experience hearing loss and some complain of tinnitus, a buzzing or ringing in their [...]

The effect of various office sounds on employees' concentration and the amount of exposure they had to the noise in order to determine any evidence for habituation are examined. The results indicate that most of the workers were distracted by office noise, but no evidence for habituation to these sounds was found.

[less than]www.who.int/peh/[greater than] This publication reports the findings of a WHO expert task force on environmental and occupational noise. The task force met in 1999 to suggest ways of mitigating [...]