Using the effect of alcohol as a comparison to illustrate the detrimental effects of noise on performance

Abstract

The aim of the present research is to provide a user-friendly index of the relative impairment associated with noise in the aircraft cabin. As such, the relative effect of noise, at a level typical of an aircraft cabin was compared with varying levels of alcohol intoxication in the same subjects. Since the detrimental effect of noise is more pronounced on non-native speakers, both native English and non-native English speakers featured in the study. Noise cancelling headphones were also tested as a simple countermeasure to mitigate the effect of noise on performance. A total of 32 participants, half of which were non-native English speakers, completed a cued recall task in two alcohol conditions (blood alcohol concentration 0.05 and 0.10) and two audio conditions (audio played through the speaker and noise cancelling headphones). The results revealed that aircraft noise at 65 dB (A) negatively affected performance to a level comparable to alcohol intoxication of 0.10. The results also supported previous research that reflects positively on the benefits of noise cancelling headphones in reducing the effects of noise on performance especially for non-native English speakers. These findings provide for personnel involved in the aviation industry, a user-friendly index of the relative impairment associated with noise in the aircraft cabin as compared with the effects of alcohol. They also highlight the benefits of a simple countermeasure such as noise cancelling headphones in mitigating some of the detrimental effects of noise on performance.

Behavioural alterations induced by intermittent ethanol intake and noise exposure in adolescent rats

“…EtOH or noise induced an increase in the latency to centre in females), the behaviour failed to be counteracted, suggesting that it could be more adaptive to maintain decreased RN and increased ALB to maintain the ability to cope with the changes in the environment. These data are supported by previous data of our laboratory and from others, given that the presence of noise before EtOH intake in male animals has also shown to unmask a behavioural anomaly that otherwise would have remained silenced (Miceli et al, 2018;Molesworth et al, 2013).…”

The effect on recognition memory of noise cancelling headphones in a noisy environment with native and nonnative speakers

“…[2,31] Similarly, although to a lesser extent are the benefi cial effects of employing noise attenuation methods such as noise cancelling headphones to reduce the effects of noise on performance. [9,16] What remained unknown was whether the benefi cial effects of noise cancelling headphones apply across language background. The results from the present research suggest that in the presence of wideband noise at 65 dB(A), the use of noise cancelling headphones provides little benefi t in improving performance in the auditory task for the native English speakers.…”

“…For native English speakers, 65 dB(A) of simulated aircraft noise degraded performance equivalent to a BAC level of 0.05. [16] The smallest distinguishable acoustic elements of speech are phonemes of which there are two general classes known as vowels and consonants. For both native and nonnative listeners, identifying consonants in spoken words is crucial for word recognition.…”

Aircraft noise monitoring using multiple passive data streams

“…It has been shown that excessive noise from passing aircraft has the potential to adversely affect the person's concentration and quality of sleep. [4][5][6][7][8][9] This concern has led to quieter, more efficient aircraft designs. Over time, this has led to a gradual reduction in sound level envelopes around airports such as Chicago's Midway Airport.…”