R. F. S. Job

Bio: R. F. S. Job is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Noise. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 295 citations.

Community response to noise: A review of factors influencing the relationship between noise exposure and reaction

Abstract: Social surveys of the relationship between noise exposure and the subjective reactions to it were reviewed This review indicated that remarkably similar results have been obtained across different nationalities with different measurement techniques Only a small percentage (typically less than 20%) of the variation in individual reaction is accounted for by noise exposure Analysis of potential errors in both measurement of noise and reaction suggests that elimination of errors would only slightly increase the observed correlations Variables, such as attitude to the noise source and sensitivity to noise, account for more variation in reaction than does noise exposure The weaker relationship between noise exposure and attitude than between reaction and attitude suggests that the attitude/reaction relationship is not entirely due to noise exposure causing a change in attitude itself Noise/reaction correlations based on individual data are significantly lower in studies of impulsive noise than nonimpulsive noise This may be caused, in part, by the restricted range of noise exposure studied in some socioacoustic investigations of impulsive noise However, the significantly higher correlations of attitude and reaction in impulsive noise studies suggest that attitude plays an even larger part, while noise exposure plays a lesser part in determining reaction to impulsive noise, relative to nonimpulsive noise

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.

Sources and effects of low-frequency noise.

Abstract: The sources of human exposure to low-frequency noise and its effects are reviewed. Low-frequency noise is common as background noise in urban environments, and as an emission from many artificial sources: road vehicles, aircraft, industrial machinery, artillery and mining explosions, and air movement machinery including wind turbines, compressors, and ventilation or air-conditioning units. The effects of low-frequency noise are of particular concern because of its pervasiveness due to numerous sources, efficient propagation, and reduced efficacy of many structures (dwellings, walls, and hearing protection) in attenuating low-frequency noise compared with other noise. Intense low-frequency noise appears to produce clear symptoms including respiratory impairment and aural pain. Although the effects of lower intensities of low-frequency noise are difficult to establish for methodological reasons, evidence suggests that a number of adverse effects of noise in general arise from exposure to low-frequency noise: Loudness judgments and annoyance reactions are sometimes reported to be greater for low-frequency noise than other noises for equal sound-pressure level; annoyance is exacerbated by rattle or vibration induced by low-frequency noise; speech intelligibility may be reduced more by low-frequency noise than other noises except those in the frequency range of speech itself, because of the upward spread of masking. On the other hand, it is also possible that low-frequency noise provides some protection against the effects of simultaneous higher frequency noise on hearing. Research needs and policy decisions, based on what is currently known, are considered.

Perception and annoyance due to wind turbine noise : a dose–response relationship

Abstract: Installed global wind power increased by 26% during 2003, with U.S and Europe accounting for 90% of the cumulative capacity. Little is known about wind turbines’ impact on people living in their vicinity. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of annoyance due to wind turbine noise and to study dose–response relationships. Interrelationships between noise annoyance and sound characteristics, as well as the influence of subjective variables such as attitude and noise sensitivity, were also assessed. A cross-sectional study was performed in Sweden in 2000. Responses were obtained through questionnaires (n=351; response rate 68.4%), and doses were calculated as A-weighted sound pressure levels for each respondent. A statistically significant dose–response relationship was found, showing higher proportion of people reporting perception and annoyance than expected from the present dose–response relationships for transportation noise. The unexpected high proportion of annoyance could be due to visual interference, influencing noise annoyance, as well as the presence of intrusive sound characteristics. The respondents’ attitude to the visual impact of wind turbines on the landscape scenery was found to influence noise annoyance.