Noise & Health最新文献

{"title":"Combined Noise Exposure and Hearing Difficulty as Independent Correlates of Tinnitus-Related Trouble Falling Asleep: A Nationally Representative Analysis of U.S. Adults.","authors":"Seyed-Ali Sadegh-Zadeh, Shayan Saadat, Alireza Soleimani Mamalo, Hamed Atashbar, Nooshin Borhani Rayeni, Zahra Mohammadinezhad, Yasaman Noshirvanbaboli, Ghazal Naghdibak, Reza Hajizadeh, Mohammadreza Pashaei","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_81_26","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_81_26","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Noise exposure is an established risk factor for tinnitus, yet its association with tinnitus-related trouble falling asleep remains underexplored at the population level. This study examined associations between occupational and leisure noise exposure and tinnitus-related trouble falling asleep in U.S. adults, adjusting for hearing difficulty.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional analysis of 36,697 adults aged ≥18 years from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which included a hearing supplement. The primary outcome was tinnitus-related trouble falling asleep among adults with tinnitus ( n  = 4,292). Secondary outcomes included short sleep (>7 hours) in the full sample ( n  = 33,507). Noise exposure was categorized as: no exposure, occupational only, leisure only, or both. Survey-weighted logistic regression with design-based standard errors estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, and hearing difficulty.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The weighted 12-month tinnitus prevalence was 11.5%. Among those with tinnitus, 41.8% reported trouble falling asleep. Combined occupational and leisure noise exposure was associated with the highest odds of tinnitus-related trouble falling asleep (aOR = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30-2.19, P < 0.001), followed by leisure noise only (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03-1.84, P  = 0.033); occupational noise alone was not independently significant (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.92-1.39, P  = 0.23; P -for-trend < 0.001). Hearing difficulty was a strong independent predictor (aOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.47-2.15, P < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Combined noise exposure is associated with elevated odds of tinnitus-related trouble falling asleep after adjustment for hearing difficulty. Hearing difficulty is the strongest correlate, suggesting that hearing status should be routinely assessed in tinnitus patients with sleep complaints.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"985-992"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623190/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148880888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Perioperative Music Therapy with Intraoperative Playback and Postoperative Guided Listening on Procedural Comfort in Patients Undergoing Cerebral Digital Subtraction Angiography.","authors":"XueZhi Wei, Jie Yao, Jie Geng, GuangHui Wang, FengJie Wang, YouZhong Li, FangFang Zhu","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_254_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_254_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to analyze the impact of perioperative music therapy (including intraoperative playback and postoperative guided listening) on procedural comfort in patients undergoing cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 145 patients who underwent DSA at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University between January 2024 and October 2025 were reviewed and categorized based on the administration of perioperative music therapy. Seventy-three patients receiving standard DSA were assigned to the conventional group, while 72 patients receiving DSA plus immediate music therapy were assigned to the music group. The primary outcome measure was comfort level assessed by the Kolcaba General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). Secondary outcomes included procedure-related metrics, hemodynamic parameters, anxiety and depression status [State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)], as well as complication rates.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of either procedure duration or hospital stay ( P > 0.05). A significant group × time interaction was observed for postoperative Visual Analogue Scale scores ( P < 0.05), with the music group reporting lower pain at all time points ( P < 0.05). Post-procedure GCQ scores increased in both groups, with significantly higher scores observed in the music group ( P < 0.05). Hemodynamic analysis revealed a significant group × time interaction ( P < 0.05); at 30 min, the music group exhibited smaller increases (Δ 1 ) in heart rate, respiratory rate, and mean arterial pressure ( P < 0.05), and at the end of the procedure, all parameters were closer to baseline (smaller absolute Δ 2 , P < 0.05). At discharge, STAI and BDI-II scores were significantly lower in the music group ( P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in complication rates (6.85% versus 2.78%, P > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Perioperative music therapy for patients undergoing DSA is associated with more stable hemodynamics, greater comfort, lower pain levels, and reduced anxiety and depression, without an increased complication risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"904-913"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heat Pump Noise: Scoping Overview of Emission Characteristics and Systematic Review of Human Effects.","authors":"Claudia Kawai, Urs Pachale, Reto Pieren, Beat Schäffer","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_106_26","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_106_26","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this work is two-fold: to characterize air-source heat pump (ASHP) noise emissions and to systematically evaluate the scientific evidence regarding non-auditory health effects, thereby assessing the technology's current and future public health impact.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The primary component is a PRISMA-guided systematic review on noise impact. Utilizing a population-exposure-outcome framework, eight bibliographic databases were searched for English and German records. Of 501 identified records, 26 reports (covering 25 unique studies) met eligibility criteria. Risk of bias (RoB) was evaluated across four domains-sampling, measurement validity, confounding, and reporting-while overall evidence certainty was assessed using established frameworks. A secondary, non-systematic scoping overview was conducted to characterize ASHP noise emissions based on technical databases and literature.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ASHP sound emissions are highly variable, contingent upon specific components (fan and compressor), radiation angles, and operating conditions. The systematic review identified 10 laboratory studies, 14 observational surveys, and one prognosis study, predominantly published since 2011. While results indicate a non-negligible potential for annoyance, concentration impairment, and self-reported sleep disturbance, the overall certainty is low. This is attributed to small samples, methodological heterogeneity, and high RoB in critical domains. Preliminary data provide tentative indications that ASHP noise may exhibit higher annoyance potential than road traffic noise at equivalent sound pressure levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite increasing research interest, the evidence base for long-term health impacts of heat pump noise remains limited and of low certainty. Future research should prioritize large-scale longitudinal studies and comparative investigations with other environmental noise sources to inform evidence-based noise control.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"809-827"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623167/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Occupational Noise on Menstrual Disorders in Female Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"XiaoHan Li, YuWen Huang, ZhongHao Wang, AnKe Zeng, LinJie Wu, JiaRui Xin, ChangYan Yu, MeiBian Zhang","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_51_26","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_51_26","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Occupational noise exposure may impair female reproductive health, but evidence on its association with menstrual disorders remains limited.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between occupational noise exposure and menstrual disorders among female workers, providing evidence for future research and occupational health policy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Peer-reviewed studies published from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2024, were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP. Eligible studies examined occupational noise exposure and menstrual disorders in female workers. Data on study characteristics, exposure assessment, diagnostic criteria, menstrual outcomes, and effect estimates were extracted. Study quality was assessed using tools for cross-sectional and cohort studies. Meta-analyses were performed using odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios (RRs), as appropriate, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and subgroup analyses were conducted by study design, noise level, diagnostic criteria, and industry type.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-two studies were included in the review, and 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. All were conducted in China, mostly in textile-related settings. Occupational noise exposure was significantly associated with menstrual disorders among female workers (OR = 3.27, 95% CI: 2.50-4.29, P < 0.01), including dysmenorrhea (RR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.58-1.95), menstrual cycle irregularities (OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 2.54-4.94), abnormal menstrual duration (OR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.65-6.59), and abnormal menstrual flow (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.74-3.66). Higher noise levels, especially ≥90 dB(A), longer exposure duration, and nonsteady or impulsive noise may further increase risk. Substantial heterogeneity was observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Occupational noise exposure may increase the risk of menstrual disorders among female workers. However, evidence is limited by observational designs, heterogeneous exposure and diagnostic methods, inadequate control for confounders, and a concentration in Chinese textile-related settings. Prospective multicenter studies with standardized criteria, objective noise assessment, and rigorous adjustment for confounders are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"828-843"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623185/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Oxidative Stress Biomarker for Noise-Associated Stroke: Evidence from Human and Mice.","authors":"CongCong Wu, Xiao Yu, Tian Lv, Jia Huang","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_239_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_239_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Occupational noise exposure is a recognized risk factor for stroke, yet biomarkers specific to noise-associated stroke (NAS) remain unclear. Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key mechanistic role in noise-induced cerebrovascular damage. We aim to identify OS biomarkers of NAS and conduct risk assessment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Candidate OS biomarkers were screened using Gene Expression Omnibus transcriptomic datasets integrated with eight machine-learning approaches, then verified in UK Biobank longitudinal data and in stroke model mice after 4-week noise exposure. In addition, the relationship between oxidative balance score (OBS) and stroke was evaluated among noise-exposed adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2018 using logistic regression, and quartiles were applied to determine optimal cut-points.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight OS-related genes were identified, of which seven were validated in stroke mice. C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 3 (CCL3) emerged as the key biomarker. In UK Biobank, occupational noise increased CCL3 expression (effect = 0.052, P  = 0.038), and higher CCL3 levels predicted greater stroke risk (hazard ratio = 1.15, P < 0.001). Functionally, CCL3 drove neuroinflammation via chemokine signaling. In noise-exposed stroke mice, circulating CCL3 increased ( P  = 0.014) and infarct volume enlarged by 12.9% ( P  = 0.011). Among 3306 noise-exposed NHANES participants, higher OBS was protective (odd ratio [OR] = 0.97, P  = 0.01), whereas OBS <10 markedly elevated stroke risk (OR = 2.40, P  = 0.033) compared with the OBS >24 group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CCL3 is a validated OS biomarker linking occupational noise exposure to stroke. Maintaining OBS >18 through dietary and lifestyle strategies may mitigate NAS risk and offer a targeted neuroprotective approach for noise-exposed populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"945-958"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623172/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148880363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation Combined with Body Weight Support Treadmill Training with Gait Symmetry and Balance Function in Patients with Post-Stroke Hemiplegia: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Yan Xu, HaiJuan Lu, DanDan Yu, Fei Han, XiaoXia Ying","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_85_26","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_85_26","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the association of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) combined with body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) with gait symmetry and balance function in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study included 110 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia admitted between January 2023 and January 2025. According to the treatment received under non-randomized allocation, patients were divided into the BWSTT-alone group ( n  = 55) and the RAS + BWSTT group ( n  = 55). Gait symmetry, balance function (Berg balance scale [BBS] and Fugl-Meyer assessment [FMA-LE]), and walking ability (10-m walk test [10MWT] and 6-min walk test [6MWT]) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Adverse events were recorded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After 8 weeks of treatment, the RAS + BWSTT group showed significantly higher step length symmetry index, cadence symmetry index, and double support phase time symmetry index compared with the BWSTT-alone group ( P < 0.05). BBS scores, FMA-LE scores, 10MWT speed, and 6MWT distance improved significantly in both groups, with the RAS + BWSTT group showing significantly greater improvement ( P < 0.05). However, the between-group differences for BBS (2.26 points) and FMA-LE (2.83 points) did not reach the established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds. No significant difference in adverse event incidence was observed between the groups ( P > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>RAS combined with BWSTT was associated with significant improvements in gait symmetry and walking ability compared with BWSTT alone. For balance and lower limb motor function, although between-group differences were statistically significant, they did not meet MCID thresholds; therefore, their clinical significance requires further investigation. This combined approach may provide a reference for developing walking rehabilitation programs for patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"1061-1069"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148880520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy on Noise-Induced Perceived Stress and Anxiety Among University Students.","authors":"Temitope Ayodeji Falade","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_249_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_249_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>University campuses are often noisy environments, and prolonged exposure to campus noise has been linked to increased stress and anxiety among students. Although many studies focus on engineering or policy solutions to manage noise, far fewer examine psychological interventions that help students cope with unavoidable noise. In particular, evidence on approaches that combine cognitive-behavioral strategies with music-based techniques remains limited.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined whether a structured cognitive behavioral music therapy (CBMT) program could reduce noise-induced perceived stress and noise-related anxiety among undergraduate students.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A pretest-posttest control-group study was conducted at the University of Nigeria. Sixty undergraduate students with elevated levels of noise-related stress or anxiety participated (CBMT = 29; control = 31). The intervention group received eight weekly 60-minute CBMT sessions that integrated cognitive restructuring, graded exposure, attentional training, and guided music-based relaxation. The control group continued with usual care. Outcomes were measured using the adapted Noise-Induced Perceived Stress (PSS-N) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Noise-Related Anxiety Scale (GAD-7-N) scales. Postintervention group differences were analyzed using analysis of covariance, while controlling for baseline scores.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Students who participated in CBMT experienced marked reductions in both noise-related anxiety and PSS-N compared with those in the control group. These improvements were observed in both male and female students, with no meaningful gender differences in treatment response. In contrast, participants receiving usual care showed little change over the study period.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings provide preliminary evidence that CBMT may offer a practical, nonpharmacological approach for helping university students manage stress and anxiety associated with chronic campus noise. Further research using randomized designs, longer follow-up periods, and objective physiological measures is warranted to strengthen and extend these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"1089-1103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623184/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational Noise Exposure in Metallurgical Research Laboratories: A Review Based on Industrial Evidence with Implications for Research Settings.","authors":"Sheetal Kumar Dewangan","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_145_26","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_145_26","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Occupational noise is a well-recognized hazard in industrial workplaces, yet its implications for metallurgical research laboratories have received comparatively limited attention despite the widespread use of high-noise equipment. Although systematic personal dosimetry studies of laboratory researchers are currently unavailable, evidence from industrial and equipment-engineering studies indicates that common metallurgical processes, including ball milling, mechanical alloying, grinding, polishing, powder processing, and high-temperature operations, can generate sound pressure levels approaching or exceeding recommended occupational exposure limits. Laboratory-scale high-energy mills, in particular, have been reported to produce substantially higher noise levels than conventional industrial rotary mills, suggesting the potential for significant occupational exposure. This review critically examines the principal sources of occupational noise in metallurgical research laboratories and the factors influencing exposure, including equipment characteristics, operating conditions, processing duration, and laboratory design. It synthesizes current knowledge on both auditory effects, such as noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus, and non-auditory impacts, including stress, fatigue, impaired concentration, and reduced work efficiency. The review also evaluates existing occupational noise exposure standards, measurement and monitoring approaches, and engineering, administrative, and personal protective strategies for noise control. The available evidence demonstrates that current understanding of noise exposure in metallurgical research laboratories is largely derived from industrial studies rather than direct laboratory measurements, highlighting a critical knowledge gap. The review emphasizes the need for systematic exposure assessment, personal noise dosimetry, and interdisciplinary research to characterize occupational noise risks better and support the development of effective noise management strategies for safer and healthier metallurgical research environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"874-884"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623175/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations of Ward Noise Exposure with Sleep Efficiency, Anxiety, and Length of Stay in Patients with COPD Complicated by Pneumonia.","authors":"YueFang Xu, YinFang Wu, HongXia Liang, Xia Feng","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_96_26","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_96_26","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine the associations of ward noise exposure with sleep efficiency, anxiety status, and length of stay in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by pneumonia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective, single-center observational study included 90 hospitalized patients with COPD complicated by pneumonia. Clinical data were extracted from medical records, and ward noise and sleep data were obtained from routinely collected ward environmental and nursing monitoring records. Patients were categorized into high- and low-noise exposure groups according to 24-hour equivalent sound pressure level (Leq) using a 50-dB cutoff. Daytime and nighttime periods were defined as 06:00-22:00 and 22:00-06:00, respectively. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores at admission and discharge were compared between groups, and within-group changes were assessed using paired t-tests. Multivariable linear regression was performed to evaluate the associations among noise exposure, sleep efficiency, anxiety, and length of stay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The high-noise exposure group had lower sleep efficiency and higher discharge state anxiety scores than the low-noise exposure group (both P < 0.05). State anxiety scores decreased from admission to discharge in both groups (high-noise group, P  = 0.001; low-noise group, P < 0.001), whereas trait anxiety scores did not change significantly within either group (both P > 0.05). The high-noise exposure group also had a longer length of stay ( P < 0.05). The 24-hour Leq was significantly correlated with nighttime Leq. Multivariable analysis showed that high-noise exposure was independently associated with decreased sleep efficiency, increased discharge state anxiety, and prolonged length of stay after adjustment for demographic factors, smoking history, disease severity, cardiovascular comorbidity, and baseline state anxiety where appropriate. Formal mediation analysis was not performed; therefore, the potential associations between noise exposure and sleep disruption, anxiety, and length of stay should be interpreted as exploratory.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ward noise exposure was associated with sleep efficiency, short-term anxiety status, and length of stay in patients with COPD complicated by pneumonia. Optimizing the inpatient acoustic environment may help improve sleep and psychological comfort, but prospective interventional studies are needed to determine whether noise reduction can shorten length of stay.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"1036-1041"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623188/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148880968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early Auditory and Psychological Shifts in Newly Enlisted Republic of Korea Air Force Soldiers Exposed to Aircraft Noise: A Pilot Prospective Study.","authors":"Kyeongsuk Park, Sungsu Lee, Hong-Chan Kim, Hyong-Ho Cho","doi":"10.4103/nah.nah_58_26","DOIUrl":"10.4103/nah.nah_58_26","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Aircraft noise is an occupational and environmental stressor associated with auditory injury and adverse mental health outcomes, but prospective evidence in newly enlisted personnel remains limited. This pilot study examined early changes in hearing thresholds and psychological well-being among Republic of Korea Air Force soldiers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Newly enlisted soldiers were enrolled at baseline ( n  = 96); 52 completed 8-month follow-up. Air-conduction thresholds were measured at 250 to 8000 Hz. Psychological and sleep outcomes were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Insomnia Severity Index. Regression models adjusted for noise exposure and shift work evaluated associations between threshold shifts and psychological changes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Subclinical threshold shifts of 2 to 3 dB occurred at 4000 Hz in the right ear [False Discovery Rate-adjusted P -values ( PFDR ) = 0.007] and left ear ( PFDR  = 0.047), and at 250 Hz in the right ear ( PFDR  = 0.038). PHQ-9, CESD-R, and BAI scores increased over follow-up (all Praw < 0.05), although these changes were not significant after FDR adjustment (all PFDR > 0.05). No incident tinnitus was reported. In adjusted models, 4000 Hz threshold shifts showed borderline associations with increased BDI ( β  = 0.350, PFDR  = 0.057) and CESD-R scores ( β  = 0.384, PFDR  = 0.057).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Short-term aircraft noise exposure was associated with early subclinical auditory shifts and numerical worsening of psychological measures. The 4000 Hz shift may represent a preliminary marker of depressive symptom emergence, supporting further investigation of sensory-psychological interactions in high-noise military environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":19195,"journal":{"name":"Noise & Health","volume":"28 133","pages":"972-984"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13623174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}