Showing papers on "Annoyance published in 2006"

Factors Influencing Tinnitus Loudness and Annoyance

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the 2 major components of tinnitus severity, loudness and annoyance, and their degree of dependence on characteristics of tinnitus manifestation, history, and etiology. Design Cross-sectional survey performed during the first months of 2004. Setting Nonclinical population. Participants A total of 4995 members of the German Tinnitus League. Main Outcome Measures Comprehensive screening questionnaire, including the Klockhoff and Lindblom loudness grading system and the miniversion of the Tinnitus Questionnaire. Results A moderate correlation of 0.45 was found between tinnitus loudness and annoyance. Both factors were generally higher in men, those older than 50 years, those with binaural and centrally perceived tinnitus, those with increased noise sensitivity, and those who had continuous tinnitus without interruptions. Tinnitus that lasted 12 months or less had a stronger influence on annoyance (odds ratio [OR], 1.96) than on loudness (OR, 0.45), whereas the contrary was found for tinnitus of more than 5 years' duration (ORs, 0.72 and 2.11, respectively). Loudness and annoyance were increased in subjects with coexisting hearing loss, vertigo, and hyperacusis. The impact of hyperacusis on annoyance was clearly stronger than on loudness (ORs, 21.91 vs 9.47). Conclusions Several clinical factors of tinnitus influence perceived loudness and annoyance. Both are distinguishable components of tinnitus severity.

Noise-induced annoyance and morbidity results from the pan-European LARES study

Abstract: Traffic noise (road noise, railway noise, aircraft noise, noise of parking cars), is the most dominant source of annoyance in the living environment of many European countries. This is followed by neighbourhood noise (neighbouring apartments, staircase and noise within the apartment). The subjective experience of noise stress can, through central nervous processes, lead to an inadequate neuro-endocrine reaction and finally lead to regulatory diseases. Within the context of the LARES-survey (Large Analysis and Review of European housing and health Status), noise annoyance in the housing environment was collected and evaluated in connection with medically diagnosed illnesses. Adults who indicated chronically severe annoyance by neighbourhood noise were found to have an increased health risk for the cardiovascular system and the movement apparatus, as well as an increased risk of depression and migraine. Furthermore adults with chronically strong annoyance by traffic noise additionally showed an increased risk for respiratory health problems. With regards to older people both neighbourhood and traffic noise indicated in general a lower risk of noise annoyance induced illness than in adults. It can be assumed that the effect of noise-induced annoyance in older people is concealed by physical consequences of age (with a strong increase of illnesses). With children the effects of noise-induced annoyance from traffic, as well as neighbourhood noise, are evident in the respiratory system. The increased risk of illness in the respiratory system in children does not seem to be caused primarily by air pollutants, but rather, as the results for neighbourhood noise demonstrate, by emotional stress.

Responses to noise in urban parks and in rural quiet areas

Abstract: Nowadays the protection of quiet areas is an issue of increasing importance, as also recognized in the European Directive 2002/49/EC on the environmental noise [1]. Dealing with the demanded protection of quiet areas, it is important to characterize the soundscape of these environments properly, taking into account the multidimensionality of the individual perception which includes the effects of non-acoustic factors on subjective evaluation, such as visual impression and matching the personal expectation of the environment with the actual experience. This paper describes two experimental investigations carried out recently in Italy. The first deals with noise surveys and collection of subjective appraisals of three urban parks in Naples and the second consists of laboratory listening tests where sounds recorded binaurally in countryside parks have been mixed with sounds from some type of sources at different signal-to-noise ratios and played back by headphones to a group of subjects. The results obtained show that the subject's expectation to hear a sound in a specific environment, that is its congruence with the environment where it is heard, influences the corresponding annoyance. In particular, the more the sound is congruent with the expectation of the park, the less is the evoked annoyance and, conversely, the more is its acceptability. Furthermore, the acceptability of the sound increases with decreasing of its level and detectability of non natural sounds.

Road traffic noise in southern Sweden and its relation to annoyance, disturbance of daily activities and health.

Abstract: Objectives This study investigated residential noise from road traffic and its relation to annoyance, disturbance of daily activities, and general health. Methods A large public health survey in southern Sweden in 1999–2000 supplied data (N=13 557; 54% participation rate) on the demography, annoyance, and disturbance of daily activities, and on general health problems regarding concentration, sleep, stress, and treatment for hypertension. Residential road noise exposure was assessed with a geographic information system. Associations with 24-hour equivalent (average) and maximum road noise level were investigated for all participants and for selected subgroups using the Cochran-Armitage trend test and Cox regression analysis. Results Annoyance from road traffic noise and the disturbance of daily activities increased markedly with road noise exposure. More than 25% reported at least occasional disturbance from traffic noise during relaxation and sleep in the highest exposure category for each noise measure. No overall pattern between road noise exposure and general health problems emerged. Among the participants that reported annoyance from road traffic noise (N=623), the average road noise level was associated with concentration problems (P for trend = 0.03) and with treatment for hypertension (P for trend = 0.02). Positive associations between average road noise exposure and health problems were found among females (hypertension), persons born outside Sweden (sleep), the unemployed (stress), and participants that reported financial problems (concentration problems). Conclusions Exposure to road traffic noise at high levels was common and produced frequent disturbances of daily activities. Negative health effects from road traffic noise were observed in important subgroups. The findings are of concern for southern Sweden, as well as for other regions with similar or higher traffic intensity.

Amplification with digital noise reduction and the perception of annoying and aversive sounds.

Abstract: Hearing aid users report difficulties using their hearing aids in noisy environments. Problems include understanding speech, loudness discomfort, and annoyance with background noise. Digital noise reduction algorithms have been promoted as a method to solve speech understanding and comfort in noise problems. Research has failed to find improved speech understanding in noise. Little is known about how digital noise reduction affects noise annoyance and aversiveness. The goals of this investigation were to determine how a specific digital noise reduction system affects hearing aid users’ perception of noise annoyance and aversiveness and to compare their perceptions to those of normal-hearing listeners. Ratings of noise annoyance and of aversiveness were obtained from 49 participants with moderate sensorineural hearing loss before fitting and after 3 weeks of hearing aid use. Findings were compared to measures obtained from normal-hearing listeners. Perceived annoyance and aversiveness increased with amplification. Annoyance and aversiveness with the hearing aid approximated normal perception. The results of this investigation suggest the need for counseling patients about realistic expectations related to annoyance and aversiveness of sounds at the time of hearing aid fitting.

The relationship between railway noise and community annoyance in Korea.

Abstract: A study of community annoyance caused by exposures to railway noise was carried out in 18 areas along railway lines to accumulate social survey data and assess the relationship between railway noise levels and annoyance responses in Korea. Railway noise levels were measured with portable sound-level meters. Social surveys were administered to people living within 50 m of noise measurement sites. A questionnaire contained demographic factors, degree of noise annoyance, interference with daily activities, and health-related symptoms. The question relating to noise annoyance was answered on an 11-point numerical scale. The randomly selected respondents, who were aged between 18 to 70 years of age, completed the questionnaire independently. In total, 726 respondents participated in social surveys. Taking into consideration the urban structure and layout of the residential areas of Korea, Japan, and Europe, one can assume that the annoyance responses caused by the railway noise in this study will be similar to those found in Japan, which are considerably more severe than those found in European countries. This study showed that one of the most important factors contributing to the difference in the annoyance responses between Korea and Europe is the distance between railways and houses.

Noise annoyance and activity disturbance before and after the erection of a roadside noise barrier.

Abstract: Questionnaire studies were conducted in a residential area before and after the erection of a 2.25 m high noise barrier of conventional type along a heavily traveled road (19,600 vehicles/24 h). The interval between studies was two years. Houses closest to the barrier received a sound-level reduction from -70.0 to 62.5 dB Lden at the most exposed facade. The sound-level reduction decreased with distance to the road, and was negligible for houses at more than 100 m distance. Up to this distance, the noise barrier reduced residents' noise annoyance outdoors and indoors as well as improved speech communication outdoors. Indoors, speech communication and sleep disturbance were slightly but nonsignificantly improved. Predictions of the number of annoyed persons from published exposure-response curves (in Lden) agreed with the percentage of residents being annoyed when indoors, before and after the barrier. Conversely, the percentage of residents being annoyed when outdoors clearly exceeded the predictions. These results suggest that these exposure-response curves may be used in predicting indoor situations, but they should not be applied in situations where outdoor annoyance is at focus.

Joint models for noise annoyance and willingness to pay for road noise reduction

Abstract: Recent contingent valuation (CV) studies of the willingness to pay (WTP) for road noise reduction have used stated annoyance as an independent variable. We argue that this may be inappropriate due to potential endogeneity bias. Instead, an alternative model is proposed that treats both WTP and annoyance as endogenous variables in a simultaneous equation model as a combination of a linear regression with an ordered probit with correlated error terms and possibly common parameters. Thus, information on stated annoyance is utilised to estimate WTP with increased efficiency. Application of the model to a dataset from Copenhagen indicates a potential for improving the precision of the estimate of WTP for noise reduction with CV data.

A fuzzy model for noise-induced annoyance

Abstract: This paper proposes a novel approach for modeling noise-induced annoyance using the fuzzy technique. The fuzzy approach offers a convenient way of representing the relationships between the inputs and outputs of a system in the form of simple IF-THEN rules. Annoyance, in the present model, is considered as a function of noise level, its duration of occurrence, and the socioeconomic status of a person. The model has been implemented on the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox of MATLAB, using both Mamdani and Sugeno techniques. The results of the model are applicable to the urban areas of India

Human Response to Low-Intensity Sonic Booms Heard Indoors and Outdoors

Abstract: A house on Edwards Air Force Base, CA, was exposed to low‐intensity N‐wave sonic booms during a 3‐week test period in June 2006. The house was instrumented to measure the booms both inside and out. F‐18 aircraft were flown to achieve a variety of boom overpressures from approximately 0.01 to 0.06 psf. During 4 test days, 77 test subjects heard the booms while seated inside and outside the house. Using the Magnitude Estimation methodology and artificial reference sounds, the subjects rated the annoyance of the booms. Since the same subjects heard similar booms both inside and outside the house, comparative ratings of indoor and outdoor annoyance were obtained. Preliminary results from this test will be presented.

Proposed criteria for assessing low frequency noise annoyance in occupational settings

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of the study was to recommend methods for assessing low frequency noise (LFN) in the occupational environment to prevent annoyance and its effects on work performance. Three different evaluating methods and corresponding admissible values were proposed: (i) method I - frequency analysis in 1/3-octave bands within the range of 10-250 Hz, (ii) method II - consisting in 1/3-octave band measurements and determination of low frequency equivalent- continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (SPL) in the frequency range of 10-250 Hz, and (iii) method III - based on equivalent-continuous A-weighted SPL corrected due to the presence of low frequencies and tonal character of LFN. Separate noise limits were recommended for workplaces in control rooms and office-like areas. Materials and Methods: The proposed criteria were verified in laboratory and field studies. The laboratory study included 55 volunteers, aged 21.8±2.1 years, with normal hearing (<25 dB HL). The subjects listened to different noises at A-weighted SPL of 45-65 dB, and evaluated annoyance using a 100-score graphical rating scale. In the field study, 35 male workers, aged 40.1 ± 7.2 years, exposed to LFN at A-weighted SPL of 48-61 dB, were asked to rate noise annoyance at their workplaces using a similar graphical scale. The subjective ratings of LFNs were compared to objective results from various assessing methods. The relations between annoyance and excesses of proposed limits were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Results: Linear relationships between the subjective ratings and results from all proposed exposure criteria were observed (0.550 ≤ r ≤ 0.673; p < 0.001). In the field conditions, however, the highest correlation coefficient was found for method II (r = 0.673), while during the laboratory study for method I (r = 0.612) and criterion curves based on hearing threshold level (HTL). Conclusions: All proposed criteria, especially the evaluation method based on the low frequency equivalent-continuous A-weighted sound SPL (method II) as well as the frequency analysis in 1/3-octave bands 10(20)-250 Hz (method I) and criterion curves based on HTL or A-weighting characteristics, seem to be able to quite well predict annoyance experienced from LFN at workplaces.

Proposed criteria for assessing low frequency noise annoyance in occupational settings

Abstract: OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to recommend methods for assessing low frequency noise (LFN) in the occupational environment to prevent annoyance and its effects on work performance. Three different evaluating methods and corresponding admissible values were proposed: (i) method I--frequency analysis in 1/3-octave bands within the range of 10-250 Hz, (ii) method II--consisting in 1/3-octave band measurements and determination of low frequency equivalent-continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (SPL) in the frequency range of 10-250 Hz, and (iii) method III--based on equivalent-continuous A-weighted SPL corrected due to the presence of low frequencies and tonal character of LFN. Separate noise limits were recommended for workplaces in control rooms and office-like areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS The proposed criteria were verified in laboratory and field studies. The laboratory study included 55 volunteers, aged 21.8 +/- 2.1 years, with normal hearing (< 25 dB HL). The subjects listened to different noises at A-weighted SPL of 45-65 dB, and evaluated annoyance using a 100-score graphical rating scale. In the field study, 35 male workers, aged 40.1 +/- 7.2 years, exposed to LFN at A-weighted SPL of 48-61 dB, were asked to rate noise annoyance at their workplaces using a similar graphical scale. The subjective ratings of LFNs were compared to objective results from various assessing methods. The relations between annoyance and excesses of proposed limits were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS Linear relationships between the subjective ratings and results from all proposed exposure criteria were observed (0.550 < or = r < or = 0.673; p < 0.001). In the field conditions, however, the highest correlation coefficient was found for method II (r = 0.673), while during the laboratory study for method I (r = 0.612) and criterion curves based on hearing threshold level (HTL). CONCLUSIONS All proposed criteria, especially the evaluation method based on the low frequency equivalent-continuous A-weighted sound SPL (method II) as well as the frequency analysis in 1/3-octave bands 10(20)-250 Hz (method I) and criterion curves based on HTL or A-weighting characteristics, seem to be able to quite well predict annoyance experienced from LFN at workplaces.

H.264 coding artifacts and their relation to perceived annoyance

Abstract: In this study we investigate coding artifacts in H.264 baseline profile. A psychophysical experiment was conducted that collected data about the subjectively perceived annoyance of short video sequences as well as the perceived strength of three coding artifacts. The data provided by 52 subjects is analyzed with respect to bitrate and intra period of the encoded sequences. A new data analysis method is presented which is based on a granular data representation and enables the detection of multidimensional functional dependencies in data sets. This method is employed to establish a model for the perceived annoyance as a function of artifact strength.

Community noise annoyance assessment in an urban agglomeration.

Abstract: In urban areas community noise is one of the important factors in producing deterioration of both well-being and the quality of life. The aim of the study was to compare two noise annoyance surveys and two noise annoyance scales in the period of 15 years in selected areas of Slovak capital Bratislava, to calculate risks of community noise annoyance and disturbance in the observed samples. Noise annoyance risks were calculated by bivariate and stratified analysis in the form of odds ratio and Mantel-Haenszel weighted odds ratio from 2x2 and 2xn tables. The use of validated five-grade scale of noise annoyance assessment gives higher possibilities for more detailed analysis, allows to calculate the indicator--percentage of highly annoyed subjects (% HA), the rate of highly annoyed individuals. The percentage of highly annoyed subjects was 18% in the year 2004, which is comparable with recently published studies. The percentage of respondents that were not at all annoyed by road traffic noise has been decreased during the 15 year period by 10% (42% vs 32%). The increase of subjective community noise annoyance risks has been observed after 15 years as well. The sample from the year 2004 has been more annoyed by road traffic noise, neighbourhood noise, noise from entertainment facilities, noise from industry and railway noise. The highest risk increase has been observed in the entertainment facilities noise annoyance (OR(MH) =1.51; 95% CI = 0.90-2.52 vs OR(MH) = 4.47; 95% CI = 2.75-7.33). Using of standard five-grade noise annoyance questionnaire gives higher possibilities for data analysis in the studies investigating the influence of environmental noise annoyance on selected population groups (Tab. 3, Ref. 7).

Monitoring van gezondheid en beleving rondom de luchthaven Schiphol

Abstract: The health status of the population living around Schiphol Airport did not change substantially after the opening of the fifth runway. However, spatial shifts did occur in the noise exposure and the occurrence of annoyance and sleep disturbance. There is growing evidence for an association between exposure to air traffic noise and the prevalence of high blood pressure around Schiphol Airport. These are some of the results of a monitoring program carried out in the framework of the Health Impact Assessment Schiphol Airport (HIAS), designed to study environmental burden, health and perceptions around Schiphol Airport. This monitoring program is a consequence of commitments made in 1994 in the National Spatial Planning Key Decision for Schiphol Airport and Surroundings. The opening of the fifth runway in 2003 has led to spatial shifts in noise exposure. On balance, fewer people were exposed to high levels of noise in 2005 than in 2002, though on average noise level increased for those exposed to relatively low levels. Locally, however, large deviations from this general picture were seen. Air traffic and the activities of the airport contribute no more than a few percentage points to the local air pollution levels. On the basis of results from this monitoring program, from earlier HIAS research, and from international literature, we observe growing evidence for an association between aircraft noise exposure and high blood pressure. In addition, associations between aircraft noise and both poor self-perceived health and the use of sedatives are observed. No relation is seen between aircraft noise and mental health. It is unlikely that, in addition to the noise level itself, an increase in the noise level due to the opening of the fifth runway has had extra influence on possible health effects. There is no evidence that air traffic contributes to the occurrence of respiratory disorders; however, the concern among residents regarding health complaints due to air traffic has increased after 2002. Since 1996, severe annoyance and severe sleep disturbance around Schiphol Airport have decreased on balance. However, less severe sleep disturbance has increased since 2002. Annoyance, sleep disturbance, filing a complaint about air traffic noise, and environmental concern all have a strong relation with aircraft noise levels. In addition, an increase in noise exposure leads to an extra increase in the number of severely annoyed residents and residents who file a complaint about the noise. Those who are severely annoyed by aircraft noise are more likely to have poor self-perceived health and more likely to report high blood pressure.

Community perceptions on noise pollution generated by aircraft in Cape Town

Abstract: Airport operations have become a major source of concern due to aircraft nOIse, particularly in areas close to airports and aircraft flight tracks. Public opposition to aircraft noise is a threat to the continued growth of civil aviation in South Africa. This study investigated the psychological effects of aircraft noise on residents and school activities at a neighbourhood close to the airport, particularly the area located under the flight tracks or adjacent to the landing and departure pattern of aircraft. Bishop Lavis was chosen as the experimental area and Kensington, about 17km away from the airport, was chosen as a control area. Questionnaires coupled with oral interviews and observations were used to gather information. The findings are focused on annoyance and disturbance. The study revealed that noise exposure caused annoyance, activity disturbance and some mild effects on school results, when compared with the control area. Disturbances were experienced in some activities that need concentration. Aircraft noise also caused communication interference, sleep deprivation and affected the teaching process. The community at the experimental area indicated some non-acoustical effects, such as fear of aircraft crashing over their homes but they indicated no willingness to leave the area. As such, it becomes essential when locating and designing airports to optimise flight paths in a way to reduce noise exposure to nearby communities. Recommendations for mitigation of noise exposure are proposed, which include operational procedure, banning chapter I and 2 aircraft, restricting night flights, proper land use planning and enforcing international environmental regulations.

Noise annoyance caused by mopeds and other traffic sources

Abstract: In the Netherlands mopeds are rated to be the most annoying sound source. In spite of the fact that so many residents are annoyed by the moped passby sounds, a dose-response relationship has, to the knowledge of the author, never been reported. In the interest of an adequate prevention or reduction of the community response to moped sounds, it is important to have insight into the dose-response relationship. In the laboratory, we investigated the annoyance caused by moped sounds as a function of the A-weighted sound exposure level (ASEL). As references we also included road-traffic and railway sounds for rating. The annoyance was further related to psychoacoustic measures such as loudness, roughness, sharpness, and fluctuation strength. Provided that the ASELs were the same, the moped sounds were more annoying, and the railway sounds were less annoying than the road-traffic sounds, resulting in a penalty of about 5 dB for the mopeds, and a bonus of about 8 dB for the trains. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that as long as the adjusted ASEL (including penalties or bonuses) was excluded as a potential predictor, four psychoacoustic variables were selected and together they were able to explain 51% of the variance in the annoyance ratings. With the adjusted ASEL included, however, it was selected as the sole predictor explaining 57% of the variance in the ratings.

Modelling of Noise-induced Annoyance: A Neuro-fuzzy Approach

Abstract: An attempt has been made in this paper to develop a neuro-fuzzy model to investigate the effects of noise pollution on annoyance. A neuro-fuzzy model inherits the interpretability of fuzzy models and learning capability of neural networks in a single system. They have got wide acceptance for modelling many real world problems because it provides a systematic and directed approach for model building and gives the best possible design parameters in minimum time. The data used in the present model are synthetically generated from the fuzzy model developed by the author on the basis of survey findings of World Health Organization (WHO). This is implemented on Fuzzy Logic Toolbox of MATLAB using Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Out of the total input/output data sets, 80% was used for training and 20% for checking to validate the model. The annoyance has been considered as a function of noise level, its duration of occurrences, and socio-economic status of a person. The results of the model are found to be in good agreement with the findings of WHO on noise-induced annoyance.

Rating environmental noise on the basis of noise maps

Abstract: A system that rates noise on the basis of noise maps has been developed which is based on empirical exposure-response relationships, so that effects in the community will be lower if the system gives a better rating. It is consistent with noise metrics and effect endpoint chosen in the EU, i.e., it uses L den and L night and predicts annoyance and self-reported sleep disturbance. In addition, it is sensitive to changes in the acoustical situation that affect noise annoyance and sleep disturbance but are not reflected in L den or L night, by taking also into account sound insulation, quiet side of the dwelling, and ambient noise in the neighbourhood. To give a more complete insight in effects, it predicts, in addition to annoyance and sleep disturbance, cardiovascular effects and gives insight in quiet areas. It produces ratings not only for individual types of sources, but also for the total noise exposure. Finally, it is formulated so that it can be translated into algorithms which calculate the ratings automatically from noise maps.

Road traffic noise: determining the influence of New Zealand road surfaces on noise levels and community annoyance

Abstract: International literature published to date has considered that tyre/surface noise does not have a significant effect on road noise for speeds below 60 kilometres per hour, and that a 3 dBA noise level change is just noticeable to most people. This makes the widely observed increases in community annoyance from road resealing hard to explain. The first part of this research investigates the effect that road surface type has on road traffic noise at urban driving speeds (50 kilometres per hour), and finds that the road surface does have a significant effect, with the surface contribution varying by up to 7 dBA between common New Zealand surface types. The effects of each surface differed for heavy and light vehicles, but were consistent over all tested driving speeds. The second part of the research investigates the consequent effect on community annoyance, and finds that small changes in traffic noise level of as little as 1 dBA are matched with changes in Behavioural Disturbance. The Behavioural Disturbance Index was found to be a more sensitive measure of noise annoyance than traditionally offered techniques. Finally, guidance on including noise considerations in road surface selection is offered. (a)

Method and device for evaluating the annoyance of squeaking noises

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the annoyance of squeaking noises within an audible signal generated during the operation of a motor vehicle or during the operation of one of its components. According to the invention, the existence of at least one squeaking noise is detected, this at least one squeaking noise is evaluated with regard to at least two predetermined characteristics, and a quantity characteristic of the annoyance of this at least one squeaking noise is determined from the at least two evaluations of this at least one squeaking noise.

Aircraft Noise Perception and Annoyance at Schools Near Salgado Filho International Airport, Brazil

Abstract: This article presents results of an evaluation of aircraft noise perception and annoyance in schools located in the vicinity of Salgado Filho International Airport, in the city of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. This research is based on indoor and outdoor acoustic measurements, in addition to questionnaires in three schools. The results indicate problems in school performance, resulting from frequent interruption of classroom communication associated with high noise levels. The research also indicates that children aged between 11 and 13 years form the most vulnerable group.