What is Noise Sensitivity?

Abstract

Background: Noise sensitivity moderates the association between environmental noise exposure and annoyance and health outcomes.

Methods: In normally hearing adults, we measured noise sensitivity in three ways: using the noise sensitivity questionnaire, a 3-point self-rating, and the loudness discomfort level (LDL; mean reported discomfort level for tone bursts). We then presented recordings of a 15-second 80 dBLAeq aeroplane overflight and participants rated the annoyance and loudness they experienced.

Results: The three measures of noise sensitivity were not well correlated with each other, and only the overall LDL was associated with the ratings of loudness and annoyance in response to the aeroplane sounds.

Conclusions: This implies that our current measures of noise sensitivity may only capture parts of the underlying construct, and therefore underestimate effects due to it on the association between environmental noise and annoyance and health outcomes. We developed a theoretical model to describe the set of factors that may influence a person's sensitivity to noise and propose that interaction between the systems described is the basis for noise sensitivity. This paradigm alters the focus of noise research from the annoyance caused by the sound, to the sensitization to noise that may occur as a result of the interplay of many factors. We hope that our model will allow research to explore the sensitizing factors for noise more easily and systematically.

Keywords: Annoyance; aircraft; loudness; noise sensitivity.

Figure 1

Score on the NoiSeQ as a function of overall LDL. The key indicates each participant’s score on the 3-point noise sensitivity scale. LDL, loudness discomfort level; NoiSeQ, noise sensitivity questionnaire.

Figure 2

Annoyance rating (on a scale of 0–10 where higher values indicate greater annoyance) plotted as a function of loudness rating (on a scale of 1–9 where higher values indicate greater loudness) in response to a recorded aeroplane overflight presented at 80 dB LAeq for 15 seconds.

Figure 3

Perceived loudness on a rating scale from 1 to 9 of a 15-second, 80 dB LAeq aeroplane overflight plotted against overall loudness discomfort level (overall LDL).

Figure 4

Annoyance rating from 0 to 10 of a 15-second, 80 dB LAeq aeroplane overflight plotted against overall loudness discomfort level (overall LDL).

Figure 5

Process diagram of a system model of noise sensitivity. A sound has characteristics that may be detected by the auditory system. If detected, the percept of the sound is interpreted cortically for meaning, while in parallel, the information passes into the limbic system where it can contribute to physiological arousal, affect, and wakefulness. Depending upon a person’s state, situation, and what they are doing, combined with their psychological traits and their attitude to the source of the sound, they may interpret the sound as “noise.” In other words, noise sensitivity is not merely a psychological trait, but rather the result of a series of variables and processes that combine to produce it.