ICBEN review of research on the biological effects of noise 2011-2014

Abstract

The mandate of the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN) is to promote a high level of scientific research concerning all aspects of noise-induced effects on human beings and animals. In this review, ICBEN team chairs and co-chairs summarize relevant findings, publications, developments, and policies related to the biological effects of noise, with a focus on the period 2011-2014 and for the following topics: Noise-induced hearing loss; nonauditory effects of noise; effects of noise on performance and behavior; effects of noise on sleep; community response to noise; and interactions with other agents and contextual factors. Occupational settings and transport have been identified as the most prominent sources of noise that affect health. These reviews demonstrate that noise is a prevalent and often underestimated threat for both auditory and nonauditory health and that strategies for the prevention of noise and its associated negative health consequences are needed to promote public health.

Noise annoyance from different sources in young adults

“…Results are consistent with the findings of other studies reporting 88-90% of teenagers and young adults listening to PMPs through earphones [13]. A number of papers published recently estimated the risk of hearing loss due to the use of PMPs, as well as the actual incidence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the exposed populations.…”

“…The percentage of teenagers and young adults at risk of developing noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) was estimated to be between 17% and almost 29% [13].…”

Translation between existing and proposed harmonized airborne sound insulation descriptors: A statistical approach based on in-situ measurements

“…These values correspond better with common spaces found in 'actual buildings' (e.g. average volume room 3,2 x 6,0 x 1,8 = 35m 3 and average common surface wall 5,0 x 1,8 =9 m 2 ).…”

“…The negative effects of noise have been studied and outlined for some time. More recent reports have again summarized these findings such as the WHO Environmental Burden of Disease in Europe [1], the reports from Basner et al [2,3], and several others.…”

The Risks of Social Noise Exposure in the Vulnerable Population in Slovakia

“…T h e e n v ir o n m e n t a l n o is e h a s o ft e n b e e n r e fe r r e d t o as t h e " fo r g o t t e n p o l l u t a n t " b u t is n o w r e c o g n iz e d as a n e n v ir o n m e n t a l a n d p u b lic h e a lt h issu e w h ic h n e e d T h e s o c ia l e x p o s u r e is c u r r e n t ly a b ig issu e in a d o le s c e n ts a n d y o u n g a d u lt s . V a r io u s le is u re t im e ac t iv i t i e s m a y b e re s p o n s ib le fo r h e a r in g im p a ir m e n t ( t e m p o r a r y o r p e r m a n e n t h e a r in g t h r e s h o ld s h if t , h e a r in g lo ss ) ( Sliwinska-Kowalska, Davis, 2 0 1 2 ; Pawlaczyk-Luszczynska et al, 2 T h e lo w e r a c tio n v a lu e s ( L A E X ,8h = 80 d B ) , u p p e r ac t i o n v a lu e s ( L A E X ,8h = 85 d B ) , a n d e x p o s u r e l i m i t v a l u e s ( L A E X ,8h = 8 7 d B ) fo r 8 h o u r s a d a y a n d 4 0 h o u r s a w e e k fo r o c c u p a t io n a l n o is e a re s ta t e d i n t h e D i r e c t i v e 2 0 0 3 / 1 0 / E C o n t h e m i n i m u m h e a lt h a n d s a fe ty r e q u ir e m e n ts r e g a r d in g t h e e x p o s u r e o f w o r k e r s t o t h e r is k s a r is in g f r o m p h y s ic a l a g e n ts (n o is e ) ( D i r e c t i v e 2 0 0 3 / 1 0 / E C , p . 5 ) .…”