ABSTRACT
This paper summarizes the currently available knowledge on the impact of infrasound (IS) and low frequency noise (LFN) on human health and well-being. This narrative review of the literature data was based on the selected, mostly, peer-reviewed research papers, review articles, and meta-analyses that were published in 1971-2022. It has been focused on the results of epidemiological studies concerning the annoyance related to infrasound and low frequency noise, as well as their impact on the cardiovascular system and sleep disorders. Particular attention was also paid to the latest research results and specific sources of IS and LFN, i.e., wind turbines. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(5):409-23.
Subject(s)
Power Plants , Sleep Wake Disorders , Humans , Noise/adverse effects , Epidemiologic Studies , Sleep Wake Disorders/epidemiologyABSTRACT
This paper summarizes the currently available knowledge on the impact of infrasound and low frequency noise (LFN) on human health and well-being. This narrative review of the literature data was based on the selected, mostly, peer-reviewed research papers, review articles, and meta-analyses that were published in 1973-2022. It has been focused on infrasound perception, annoyance attributed to infrasound and low-frequency noise, as well as their effects on the cardiovascular system and sleep disorders. Particular attention was also paid to the latest research results and specific sources of infrasound and LFN, i.e., wind turbines. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(4):317-32.
Subject(s)
Salaries and Fringe Benefits , Sleep Wake Disorders , HumansABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim: To analyse the structure of sensory impairments, associated with COVID-19. To identify terms of recovery periods depending on severity of disease, age and gender of the patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Within two weeks, 2225 patients with confirmed COVID-19 completed a questionnaire, created by Google Forms. General complaints, peculiarities of sensory impairments and recovery time were specified. After exclusion criteria application, data of 2108 patients were analyzed by R Statistics Package, Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Fisher's exact test, Spearman's rank test. RESULTS: Results: Among patients enrolled (973 males and 1135 females, mean age 28.6±0.18) the most frequent were olfactory (91.32%) and gustatory (66.03%) dysfunctions. Olfactory manifestations were usually accompanied by gustatory disorders (73.72%). Average duration of olfactory dysfunction was 15.46±0.45 days, gustatory - 11.3±0.33, hearing - 4.3±0.16, and visual - 6.53±0.23 days. It was found a correlation between duration of olfactory and gustatory impairments (r=0.65; p < 0.001), hearing and visual disorders (r=0.49; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Olfactory and gustatory disorders are prevalent symptoms in Ukrainian population. 7.87% of respondents who had impairment of all four sensory functions had the longest recovery time. Duration of sensory impairments did not depend on age, type of treatment and severity of disease, which rises the question about the neurogenic pathway of virus.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Olfaction Disorders , Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Olfaction Disorders/diagnosis , Olfaction Disorders/epidemiology , Prevalence , SARS-CoV-2 , Taste Disorders/diagnosis , Taste Disorders/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The biological effects of noise depend on its physical parameters, combination with other hazards, the content of acoustic signals. This article aimed to analyze the difference in biological effects caused by the selection of nonverbal and verbal signals in conditions of a high level of work intensity. METHODS: Work conditions, physical characteristics of noise, levels of work intensity were studied among 75 telephone operators and 96 geophone operators. Levels of permanent hearing thresholds, evaluated by pure-tone audiometry, and results of self-estimation of operators' health were compared. The contribution of the content of acoustic signals in the shifting of hearing thresholds was evaluated by the one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Selection of acoustic signals in the noise background (< 65 dB), in conditions of high work intensity, causes a significant increase of permanent hearing thresholds in both studied groups comparing to the non-noise exposed population. A combination of the high level of work intensity and distinguishing of nonverbal acoustic messages leads to significant deterioration of health resulting in decreasing of hearing sensitivity and a number of complaints on the state of health (p < 0.05). The content of acoustic signals significantly contributes to the biological effects of the nose. CONCLUSION: Obtained results testify necessity to revise safe criteria of noise levels for workers, engaged in selection, recognition and distinguishing of acoustic messages in the noise background combined with a high level of work intensity. In case when the energy of the acoustic field cannot be reduced, occupational safety measures should focus on decreasing of work intensity.
Subject(s)
Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced , Acoustics , Auditory Threshold , Humans , Noise/adverse effectsABSTRACT
AIMS: The functional state of the auditory analyzer of several operators groups was study. The objective of this study was to determine some characteristics of hearing impairment in relation with features of acoustic stimuli and informative significance of noise. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 236 employees (middle age 35.4 ± 0.74 years) were divided into four groups according to features of noise perception at the workplaces. The levels of permanent shifts of acoustic thresholds were estimated using audiometric method. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Common statistical methods were used in research. Mean quantity and mean absolute errors were calculated. Statistical significance between operators' groups was calculated with 0.05 confidential intervals. RESULTS: The peculiarities of hearing impairment in observed groups were different. Operators differentiating acoustic signals had peak of hearing impairment in the field of language frequencies, while the employees who work with noise background at the workplaces had maximal hearing threshold on the 4000 Hz frequency (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hearing impairment depends both on energy and human interaction with acoustic irritant. The distinctions in hearing impairment may be related with the necessity of recognizing of acoustic signals and their frequency characteristics.
