Vocal Demand Response to the Educational Setting Based Communication Scenarios: A Single Subject Study

Objectives: This was a single-subject study, aimed to demonstrate different vocal demand situations that are typical for primary school and teacher's vocal demand response under two acoustical conditions, with and without voice amplification, during five working days. Methods: The long-term voice dosimetry with Vocal Holter Med (PR.O. Voice Srl) was carried out on a 49-year-old female teacher with voice disorders during daily teaching activities. A sound field amplification system (SFAS) PentaClass Runa was installed in the classroom. Voice dosimetry was provided under two different acoustical conditions: without SFAS (2 days) and with SFAS (3 days). Results: Phonation time percentage, sound pressure level (SPL), SPL SD, fundamental frequency (F0), F0 SD, cycle, and distance doses were investigated in seven communication scenarios (lessons, group/individual classes, sports lessons in the gym and schoolyard, breaks, lunch breaks, and other activities). The median scores of all voice parameters differed significantly between different vocal demand contexts. The significant statistical difference in the vocal demand response was in the communication situations with and without SFAS. In addition, the number of children, reverberation time, and ambient air relative humidity impacted voice SPL and the cycle dose. Conclusions: Lessons, sports lessons held in the gym or schoolyard, breaks, and lunch breaks were considered as high vocal demand communication situations requiring higher voice intensity and fundamental frequency, higher phonation time percentage, cycle, and distance doses. Group/individual work and other teacher activities during the day, unrelated to direct work with students, were categorized as low vocal demand communication scenarios.

Objetivos: Este fue un estudio de sujeto único, cuyo objetivo fue demostrar diferentes situaciones de demanda vocal típicas de la escuela primaria y la respuesta vocal de los docentes bajo dos condiciones acústicas, con y sin amplificación de voz, durante cinco días laborables. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo dosimetría vocal a largo plazo con Vocal Holter Med (PR.O. Voice Srl) durante las actividades diarias de enseñanza en una docente de 49 años con trastornos de la voz. Se instaló un sistema de amplificación de campo sonoro (SFAS) PentaClass Runa en el aula. La dosimetría vocal se realizó bajo dos condiciones acústicas diferentes: sin SFAS (2 días) y con SFAS (3 días). Resultados: Se investigaron el porcentaje de tiempo de fonación, el nivel de presión sonora (SPL), SPL SD, la frecuencia fundamental (F0), F0 SD, ciclos y dosis de distancia en siete escenarios de comunicación diferentes (clases, clases grupales/individuales, clases de educación física en el gimnasio y el patio de la escuela, recreos, almuerzos y otras actividades). Las puntuaciones medias de todos los parámetros vocales diferían significativamente entre los diferentes contextos de demanda vocal. La diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la respuesta a la demanda vocal se observó en las situaciones de comunicación con y sin SFAS. Además, el número de niños, el tiempo de reverberación y la humedad relativa del aire ambiente afectaron al SPL de la voz y la dosis de ciclo. Conclusiones: Las lecciones, las clases de educación física en el gimnasio o el patio de la escuela, los recreos y los almuerzos se consideraron situaciones de comunicación de alta demanda vocal, que requerían una mayor intensidad y frecuencia fundamental de la voz, un mayor porcentaje de tiempo de fonación y dosis de ciclo y distancia más altas. El trabajo grupal/individual y otras actividades del profesor durante el día no relacionadas con el trabajo directo con los estudiantes se categorizaron como escenarios de comunicación de baja demanda vocal.

Innovative instrumentation to strong reduction of the noise levels inside newborn incubators used in the neonatal intensive care units.

In spite of the advent of medical technology, modern newborn incubators (NIs) do not protect them from high noise levels in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Allied to bibliographical research carried out measurements were made inside the dome of a NIs and the results show that the sound pressure levels, or noises, are much more intense than the levels stipulated by the norm NBR IEC 60.601.2.19 of ABNT. These measurements revealed that the NIs air convection system motor is the main source of excess noise. In view of the above, a project was developed with the objective of significantly reducing the noise level inside the dome by modifying the air convection system. Thus, a quantitative study was developed, based on the experimental method, where a ventilation mechanism was designed, constructed and tested, which operated from the network of medical compressed air, present in the NICUs and maternity rooms. Respectively, before and after the modification of the air convection system, the data of relative humidity, air velocity, atmospheric pressure, air temperature and noise [(64.9% ur/33.1% ur); (0.27 m s-1/0.28 m s-1); (1.013.98 hPa/1.013, 60 hPa); (36.5 °C/36.3 °C); (45.9 dBA/30.2 dBA], were collected by electronic meters that registered the conditions of the external and internal environment of the dome of an NI with a passive humidification system. The noise measurements in the environment showed that there was a strong reduction of 15.7 dBA, or 34.2% of internal noise, measured after the modification of the ventilation system, showing a significative performance of the modified NI. Therefore, our results may be a good choose to improve NI acoustics to enable optimal care of the neonate in the neonatal intensive care units.

Behavioural effects of noise on Linnaeus's two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) in a walk-through enclosure.

Anthropogenic noise has been related to stress in captive animals; despite this there have been few studies on animal welfare assessment in walk-through zoo enclosures. We aimed to investigate the behavioural effects of noise on a male-female pair of two-toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus), housed in a walk-through enclosure in a zoo in the UK. The animals were filmed for 24 h per day, during three days per week, including days with potential low and high flow of visitors, for three weeks. Sound pressure measurement was performed four times each collection day (twice in the morning, once at noon and once in the afternoon), for 15 min per session, using a sound level meter. The number of visitors passing the enclosure during each session was also recorded. The videos were analysed using focal sampling, with continuous recording of behaviour. Correlations between noise and the behaviours expressed during, and in the 24 h after the acoustic recording, were investigated. The number of visitors correlated with the acoustic parameters. At the moment of exposure, higher levels of noise correlated with decreased inactivity, and longer expression of locomotion and maintenance behaviours for the male; the female spent more time inside a box in these moments. During the 24 h hours after exposure to loud noise, the female showed no behavioural changes while the male tended to reduce foraging. The behavioural changes observed in both individuals have already been reported in other species, in response to stressful events. Our study indicates the need for a good acoustic management in walk-through zoo enclosures where sloths are housed.

Quality of Life and Acoustic Comfort in Educational Environments of Curitiba, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: It is believed that poor classroom acoustics leads to lower levels of student learning and exposes teachers vocal folds to greater physical wear and tear. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to compare the quality of life by World Health Organization (whoqol-bref) questionnaire of 61 teachers working at schools with different acoustic conditions. METHODS: This paper reports on a descriptive exploratory study aimed at ascertaining the following: (1) outdoor sound pressure levels in the immediate surroundings of two primary schools; (2) background noise levels inside classrooms; (3) reverberation times in classrooms; (4) the teacher's perception of noise in the work environment; (5) the teacher's vocal intensity in the classroom; and (6) the teacher's perceived quality of life. RESULTS: It was found that the quality of life of teachers, as well as the major causes of acoustic discomfort, do not stem from a source outside the classroom, halls, and physical education classes. Instead, they originate inside the classroom and are caused by students during school hours; the teachers' vocal intensity exceeds the limits of tolerability both in schools that provide acoustic comfort and in those that do not. CONCLUSIONS: The basic conditions required to ensure the health of the participants in this study during their workday were found to be unsatisfactory.

Environmental noise in hospitals: a systematic review.

Environmental noise has been growing in recent years, causing numerous health problems. Highly sensitive environments such as hospitals deserve special attention, since noise can aggravate patients' health issues and impair the performance of healthcare professionals. This work consists of a systematic review of scientific articles describing environmental noise measurements taken in hospitals between the years 2015 and 2020. The researchers started with a consultation of three databases, namely, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The results indicate that for the most part, these studies are published in journals in the fields of medicine, engineering, environmental sciences, acoustics, and nursing and that most of their authors work in the fields of architecture, engineering, medicine, and nursing. These studies, which are concentrated in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, use as reference values sound levels recommended by the World Health Organization. Leq measured in hospital environments showed daytime values ranging from 37 to 88.6 dB (A) and nighttime values of 38.7 to 68.8 dB (A). Leq values for outdoor noise were 74.3 and 56.6 dB (A) for daytime and nighttime, respectively. The measurements were taken mainly inside hospitals, prioritizing more sensitive departments such as intensive care units. There is a potential for growth in work carried out in this area, but research should also include discussions about guidelines for improvement measures aimed at reducing noise in hospitals.

Response of Bolivian gray titi monkeys (Plecturocebus donacophilus) to an anthropogenic noise gradient: behavioral and hormonal correlates.

Worldwide urban expansion and deforestation have caused a rapid decline of non-human primates in recent decades. Yet, little is known to what extent these animals can tolerate anthropogenic noise arising from roadway traffic and human presence in their habitat. We studied six family groups of titis residing at increasing distances from a busy highway, in a park promoting ecotourism near Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. We mapped group movements, sampled the titis' behavior, collected fecal samples from each study group and conducted experiments in which we used a mannequin simulating a human intrusion in their home range. We hypothesized that groups of titi monkeys exposed to higher levels of anthropogenic noise and human presence would react weakly to the mannequin and show higher concentrations of fecal cortisol compared with groups in least perturbed areas. Sound pressure measurements and systematic monitoring of soundscape inside the titis' home ranges confirmed the presence of a noise gradient, best characterized by the root-mean-square (RMS) and median amplitude (M) acoustic indices; importantly, both anthropogenic noise and human presence co-varied. Study groups resided in small, overlapping home ranges and they spent most of their time resting and preferentially used the lower forest stratum for traveling and the higher levels for foraging. Focal sampling analysis revealed that the time spent moving by adult pairs was inversely correlated with noise, the behavioral change occurring within a gradient of minimum sound pressures ranging from 44 dB(A) to 52 dB(A). Validated enzyme-immunoassays of fecal samples however detected surprisingly low cortisol concentrations, unrelated to the changes observed in the RMS and M indices. Finally, titis' response to the mannequin varied according to our expectation, with alarm calling being greater in distant groups relative to highway. Our study thus indicates reduced alarm calling through habituation to human presence and suggests a titis' resilience to anthropogenic noise with little evidence of physiological stress.

Sound exposure and its beneficial effects on embryonic growth and hatching of broiler chicks.

1. The physical factors that involve artificial incubation determine embryonic growth and hatching of broiler chicks, and have important implications for the poultry production chain and chick welfare. This study explored the effects of sound exposure on incubation responses (hatching, embryonic development and chick quality).2. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment with the factors 'sound pressure level' (at 70 and 90 dB) and 'species-specific vocalisations' (at 75dB - 85dB) was performed in four experimental incubators (loaded with 90 eggs each) for eight consecutive cycles of incubation, totalling 2880 Cobb-500® broiler breeder eggs.3. Embryonic growth was not influenced by any experimental factor, but the highest sound pressure level (90 dB) led to earlier hatching, higher hatchability, better chick quality and lower weight at hatching. Additional effects of species-specific vocalisations were found at 70 dB noise, which caused early hatching and better chick quality.4. It was concluded that the loud noise found in commercial hatcheries (at 90 dB) can be beneficial. Furthermore, the presence of species-specific vocalisations could improve the hatching time and chick quality from experimental incubators (at 70 dB). However, this would not provide additional benefits in commercial hatcheries, due to the machinery noise masking them.

Wakefulness-promoting role of the inferior colliculus.

The inferior colliculus (IC) is a mesencephalic auditory nucleus involved in several functions including the analysis of the frequency and intensity of sounds as well as sound localization. In addition to auditory processes, the IC controls the expression of defensive responses. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the IC contributes to the maintenance of wakefulness. For this purpose, several experimental approaches were performed in urethane-anesthetized guinea pigs. Electrical or chemical stimulation of the IC resulted in electroencephalographic (EEG) desynchronization, theta rhythm in the hippocampus and an increase in heart rate; all of these effects suggest an arousal reaction. Furthermore, by means of extracellular unit recordings, we determined that most IC neurons increased their spontaneous and tone-evoked responses in association with EEG desynchronization. We also studied the effect on sleep and wakefulness of bilateral acute inhibition of the IC by microinjections of muscimol (a GABAA agonist), as well as the effect of bilateral IC lesions in chronically-instrumented (drug-free) guinea pigs. Acute (via muscimol microinjections), but not chronic (via electrolytic lesions) inhibition of the IC decreased wakefulness., We conclude that the IC plays an active role in the maintenance of wakefulness. Further, we propose that this nucleus may mediate arousal responses induced by biologically significant sounds.

Avaliação do ruído e seus efeitos em professores e alunos de academias de ginástica / Evaluation of noise and its effects on gym teachers and students

O ruído encontra-se cada vez mais relacionado à atividade de lazer no Brasil, inclusive em academias de ginástica, onde milhares de professores e alunos estão expostos a elevados níveis de pressão sonora durante várias horas por dia, sem qualquer tipo de proteção, sendo necessária a preocupação com a saúde mental e corporal desta população. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar os níveis de ruído em academias de ginástica nas cidades de Curitiba-PR e Irati-PR, através das medições dos níveis de pressão sonora - nível sonoro equivalente (Leq), níveis mínimos (Lmin) e máximos (Lmax), simulações dos parâmetros acústicos (tempo de reverberação - TR e índice de transmissão da fala - STI) e identificação dos efeitos causados pelo ruído nos professores e alunos. Para a coleta de dados, foi utilizado um medidor sonoro classe I da marca Brüel & Kjær, modelo 2238, as simulações computacionais foram realizadas com o software Odeon Combined versão 9.2 e para a identificação dos efeitos, foram aplicados questionários nos alunos e professores. Na análise estatística foi utilizado o software R versão 2.11.1, considerado o nível de significância igual a 5% (p ? 0,05). Os resultados mostraram que os níveis de pressão sonora (Leq) variaram entre 80,1 e 100,1 dB(A), atingindo o valor máximo (Lmax) 117,2 dB(A), ultrapassando os valores limites estabelecidos pela legislação. Verificou-se que as modificações realizadas nas academias de ginástica reduziram o tempo de reverberação e alteraram a classificação do índice de transmissão da fala de pobre para satisfatório, melhorando assim as condições acústicas das academias de ginásticas. Os efeitos mais relatados pelos alunos e professores foram cansaço e fadiga vocal. Diversas alterações vocais foram apontadas pelos professores no final se sua jornada de trabalho, sendo que a mais relatada foi rouquidão. Conclui-se que o ambiente da academia de ginástica onde as pessoas buscam a promoção da saúde e lazer apresentou, incoerentemente, altos níveis de pressão sonora que são encontrados em ambientes industriais, gerando assim extrema preocupação com relação à saúde de seus alunos e, especialmente, dos professores atuantes. Diante dos resultados encontrados neste estudo, fica evidente a necessidade de ações que minimizem e controlem a ação prejudicial do ruído nas academias de ginástica, podendo ser realizadas através de medidas de controle da exposição do ruído na fonte, na trajetória e no indivíduo.

Noise is increasingly related to leisure activities in Brazil, including those carried out in fitness gyms where thousands of instructors and users are exposed to high sound pressure levels during several hours a day without any kind of protection, a situation in which it becomes necessary the concern about the mental and physical health of this population. The objective of this research was to evaluate the noise levels in fitness gyms in the cities of Curitiba and Irati in the State of Paraná through the measurements of sound pressure levels - equivalent continuous sound pressure level (Leq), minimum (Lmin) and maximum (Lmax) levels, simulations of the acoustic standards (reverberation time - RT and speech transmission index - STI) and the identification of effects caused by noise in instructors and users. A sound meter class I, model 2238 from the make Brüel e Kjær was used to collect the data and the software Odeon Combined version 9.2 was used for the computational simulations. In addition, a questionnaire was submitted to instructors and users aiming at identifying the effects of the high sound pressure levels on them. The software R version 2.11.1 was employed for the statistical analysis considering the significance level as 5% (p ? .05). The results showed that the sound pressure levels (Leq) varied between 80.1 and 100.1 dB(A), reaching the maximum value (Lmax) at 117.2 dB(A), surpassing the limits established by law. It was verified that the modifications made in the fitness gyms reduced the reverberation time and changed the speech transmission index classification from poor to fair improving the acoustic conditions of the gyms. The most reported effects by users and instructors were tiredness, and vocal fatigue. Several vocal alterations were pointed out by instructors in the end of their workday, being hoarseness the most reported one. The conclusion is that the fitness gym environment, despite being a place where people seek health improvement and leisure time, shows high sound pressure levels similar to the ones found in industrial environments, which creates an extreme concern in relation to the health of its users, and especially its instructors. In face of the results found in this research it seems unmistakable the need of efforts which minimize and control the hazardous action of noise in fitness gyms, which can be done through control measures of the noise exposure in the source, in the trajectory and in the individual.

Análise comparativa do desempenho em leitura e escrita de crianças expostas e não expostas a níveis elevados de pressão sonora / Comparative analysis of performance in reading and writing of children exposed and not exposed to high sound pressure levels

OBJETIVO: analisar as possíveis relações entre níveis de pressão sonora elevados em sala de aula e o desempenho no uso das rotas lexical e fonológica na leitura e escrita. MÉTODOS: estudo quantitativo e exploratório. Medições acústicas por meio de dosímetro; inspeção visual do conduto auditivo externo; audiometria tonal e vocal; imitanciometria; instrumento de leitura e escrita de palavras isoladas. Foram utilizados o teste não paramétrico do χ² e teste exato de Fisher para análise de dados. Com base nos resultados das mensurações acústicas em quatro escolas de Santa Maria, foi possível dividir a amostra de 87 crianças do 3º e 4º anos do ensino fundamental, na faixa etária de 8 a 10 anos, em 2 grupos. O 1º grupo foi composto de crianças expostas a intensidades de som superior a níveis de 80 dB(A) (Grupo estudo) e o 2º grupo, com crianças expostas a níveis menores que 80 dB(A) (Grupo controle). RESULTADOS: maior prevalência de acertos nas pseudopalavras na leitura e escrita; na leitura de palavras irregulares e efeito de frequência; predomínio de acertos nas palavras irregulares na escrita para o Grupo controle. Para o Grupo estudo, maior número de erros de tipo neologismo na leitura e escrita, principalmente na escrita de pseudopalavras e efeito de extensão; menor número de erros de tipo lexicalização e paragrafias verbais na escrita. CONCLUSÃO: na avaliação das habilidades de leitura e escrita, considerando-se as rotas fonológica e lexical, as crianças do Grupo estudo, expostas a altos níveis de ruído, obtiveram pior desempenho no uso das rotas, tanto na leitura quanto na escrita.

PURPOSE: To analyze the possible relationships between high sound pressure levels in the classroom and performance in the use of lexical and phonological routes in reading and writing. METHODS: This consisted on a quantitative and exploratory study. The following measures were carried out: acoustic measurement, using the dosimeter, visual inspection of the external auditory canal, tonal audiometry thresholds, speech recognition tests and acoustic immittance; instrument for evaluation of reading and writing of isolated words. The non-parametric χ² test and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis. The results of acoustic measurements in 4 schools in Santa Maria divided the sample of 87 children of third and fourth years of primary school, aged 8 to 10 years, in 2 groups. The 1st group was exposed to sound levels higher than 80 dB(A) (Study group) and the 2nd group at levels lower than 80 dB(A) (Control group). RESULTS: Higher prevalence of correct answers in reading and writing of nonwords, reading irregular words and frequency effect were observed. Predominance of correct answers in the writing of irregular words was observed in the Control group. For the Study group, a higher number of type errors neologism in reading and writing were observed, especially regarding the writing of nonwords and the extension effect; fewer errors of lexicalization type and verbal paragraphy in writing were observed. CONCLUSION: In assessing the reading and writing skills, children in the Study group exposed to high noise levels had poorer performance in the use of lexical and phonological routes, both in reading and in writing.

Gross anatomy of the head lateral line and hearing system of the Ophidiinae, Genypterus blacodes, Raneya brasiliensis and Ophidion holbrookii, of Southern Brazil / Anatomia da linha lateral da cabeça e sistema auditivo em Ophidiinae, Genypterus blacodes, Raneya brasiliensis e Ophidion holbrokii, provenientes do Sudeste do Brasil

Cusk-eels (Ophidiinae) have been studied as fish that produce sound by using their swim bladder, but fish that are well-known for producing sound have a free swim bladder, associated with paired muscle. However, in addition to producing sound, the complex anatomy associated with the swim bladder of cusk-eels suggests that their hearing system is equivalent to or more complex than the Weberian apparatus of the Ostariophysi. The anatomy has been studied in fish caught in commercial shrimp fishery and dissected fresh or after being fixed in formalin; the bones were stained with alizarin; the head lateral lines were observed after skin removal and red syrup was then injected to enhance the lines on the head. The associated anatomy shows specializations in the head lateral line, the center of the swim bladder is fixed on the vertebrae, three specific muscles are associated and there are some exclusive organs, the complexity of which suggests great expertise in the perception of sound/pressure waves. Some hypotheses about their functions are presented in order to stimulate research into this subject.

Os congros (Ophidiinae) têm sido estudados como peixes que produzem som com auxilio da vesícula gasosa, mas peixes bem conhecidos como produtores de som têm a vesícula gasosa livre, associada a músculo par. Entretanto, além de produzir som, a complexa anatomia dos congros sugere que seu aparelho sensorial sonoro seja equivalente ou mais complexo que o aparelho de Weber dos Ostariophysi. A anatomia tem sido estudada em peixes capturados pela pesca comercial de camarão e dissecados em fresco ou após fixados em formalina; os ossos foram corados com alizarina; as linhas laterais da cabeça foram observadas após retirar a pele da cabeça e deixar secar o interior dos canais, para logo injetar xarope vermelho. A anatomia associada mostra especializações na linha lateral da cabeça, fixação nas vértebras do terço médio da vesícula gasosa, três músculos específicos associados e órgãos exclusivos, essa complexidade sugere grande especialização para captar ondas de som/pressão. Algumas hipóteses sobre suas funções são apresentadas com o intuito de estimular pesquisas nesse assunto.