Hartmut Ising

Bio: Hartmut Ising is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Absorption (acoustics) & Stressor. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 635 citations.

Acoustic Nonlinearity of an Orifice

Abstract: The acoustic nonlinearity of an orifice in a plate has been investigated by measuring simultaneously the oscillatory flow velocity in the orifice and the acoustic‐pressure fluctuations producing the flow. The relation between the pressure and velocity amplitudes, which is linear at sufficiently low pressures, is found to approach a square‐law relation at large velocity amplitudes. By evaluating the phase relationship between the fundamental harmonic components of pressure and velocity, the acoustic‐orifice impedance is determined. In the square‐law region of the pressure/velocity relation, the resistive component of the orifice impedance dominates and is proportional to the velocity amplitude. This method of measurement, which is particularly useful at high amplitudes, is supplemented by measurements of sound transmission and frequency response of the orifice plate so that an impedance curve can be constructed over an extended range of amplitudes. An analogous program of measurements has been carried out to study the influence of a superimposed steady flow on the acoustic‐orifice impedance. Finally, as an application of the results obtained, the absorption characteristics of resonator absorbers for high‐intensity sound are discussed.

Community noise exposure and stress in children

Abstract: Although accumulating evidence over the past two decades points towards noise as an ambient stressor for children, all of the data emanate from studies in high-intensity, noise impact zones around airports or major roads. Extremely little is known about the nonauditory consequences of typical, day-to-day noise exposure among young children. The present study examined multimethodological indices of stress among children living under 50 dB or above 60 dB (A-weighted, day-night average sound levels) in small towns and villages in Austria. The major noise sources were local road and rail traffic. The two samples were comparable in parental education, housing characteristics, family size, marital status, and body mass index, and index of body fat. All of the children were prescreened for normal hearing acuity. Children in the noisier areas had elevated resting systolic blood pressure and 8-h, overnight urinary cortisol. The children from noisier neighborhoods also evidenced elevated heart rate reactivity to a discrete stressor (reading test) in the laboratory and rated themselves higher in perceived stress symptoms on a standardized index. Furthermore girls, but not boys, evidenced diminished motivation in a standardized behavioral protocol. All data except for the overnight urinary neuroendocrine indices were collected in the laboratory. The results are discussed in the context of prior airport noise and nonauditory health studies. More behavioral and health research is needed on children with typical, day-to-day noise exposure.

The built environment and mental health.

Abstract: The built environment has direct and indirect effects on mental health. High-rise housing is inimical to the psychological well-being of women with young children. Poor-quality housing appears to increase psychological distress, but methodological issues make it difficult to draw clear conclusions. Mental health of psychiatric patients has been linked to design elements that affect their ability to regulate social interaction (e.g., furniture configuration, privacy). Alzheimer's patients adjust better to small-scale, homier facilities that also have lower levels of stimulation. They are also better adjusted in buildings that accommodate physical wandering. Residential crowding (number of people per room) and loud exterior noise sources (e.g., airports) elevate psychological distress but do not produce serious mental illness. Malodorous air pollutants heighten negative affect, and some toxins (e.g., lead, solvents) cause behavioral disturbances (e.g., self-regulatory ability, aggression). Insufficient daylight is reliably associated with increased depressive symptoms. Indirectly, the physical environment may influence mental health by altering psychosocial processes with known mental health sequelae. Personal control, socially supportive relationships, and restoration from stress and fatigue are all affected by properties of the built environment. More prospective, longitudinal studies and, where feasible, randomized experiments are needed to examine the potential role of the physical environment in mental health. Even more challenging is the task of developing underlying models of how the built environment can affect mental health. It is also likely that some individuals may be more vulnerable to mental health impacts of the built environment. Because exposure to poor environmental conditions is not randomly distributed and tends to concentrate among the poor and ethnic minorities, we also need to focus more attention on the health implications of multiple environmental risk exposure.

Potential of microperforated panel absorber

Abstract: Many applications have been found for the microperforated panel (MPP) absorber, on which the perforations are reduced to submillimeter size so that they themselves will provide enough acoustic resistance and also sufficiently low acoustic mass reactance necessary for a wide-band sound absorber. The most important parameter of the MPP is found to be the perforate constant k which is proportional to the ratio of the perforation radius to the viscous boundary layer thickness inside the holes. This, together with the relative (to the characteristic acoustic impedance in air) acoustic resistance r and the frequency f0 of maximum absorption of the MPP absorber, decides the entire structure of the MPP absorber and its frequency characteristics. In other words, the MPP absorber may be designed according to the required absorbing characteristics in terms of the parameters k, r, and f0. Formulas and curves are presented toward this end. It is shown that the MPP absorber has tremendous potential for wide-band absorp...

Burden of Disease from Environmental Noise: Quantification of Healthy Life Years Lost in Europe

Abstract: The health impacts of environmental noise are a growing concern. At least one million healthy life years are lost every year from traffic-related noise in the western part of Europe. This publication summarises the evidence on the relationship between environmental noise and health effects, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, tinnitus, and annoyance. For each one, the environmental burden of disease methodology, based on exposure-response relationship, exposure distribution, background prevalence of disease and disability weights of the outcome, is applied to calculate the burden of disease in terms of disability-adjusted life-years. Data are still lacking for the rest of the WHO European Region. This publication provides policy-makers and their advisers with technical support in their quantitative risk assessment of environmental noise. International, national and local authorities can use the procedure for estimating burdens presented here to prioritize and plan environmental and public health policies.

Child Development and the Physical Environment

Abstract: Characteristics of the physical environment that influence child development are discussed. Topics include behavioral toxicology, noise, crowding, housing and neighborhood quality, natural settings, schools, and day care settings. Socioemotional, cognitive, motivation, and psychophysiological outcomes in children and youths are reviewed. Necessary methodological and conceptual advances are introduced as well.