Effect of noise stress on autonomic function tests

Abstract

The study was carried out in 200 male volunteers. They were divided into two groups. The study group was exposed to noise levels of more than 80 dB(A) for more than 8 hours a day for a period of 6 months, working in the steel and hammer industry, whereas the control group was working under normal conditions. The mean age of subjects was 33.33 + 0.867 years and the mean noise level to which they were exposed was 90.34 + 0.781 dB(A). Various autonomic function tests were carried out in both the groups and results were analyzed using Z test. Heart rate was recorded on cardiofax ECG machine and blood pressure (BP) was recorded using sphygmomanometer. The tests depicted significant increase in the mean resting heart rate and the heart rate response to standing (P=0.000), 30:15 ratio (P=0.002), the valsalva ratio (P=0.017), the % change in diastolic BP response to standing (P=0.000) and valsalva maneuver (P=0.000), the systolic BP and diastolic BP after cold pressor test (P=0.000) in study group as compared to the control group. The significant higher results in study group may be attributed to increased sympathetic activity. Thus, noise presents as a significant health hazard. It is recommended that maximum allowable duration of exposure should be reviewed and strictly followed.

Road traffic noise, blood pressure and heart rate: Pooled analyses of harmonized data from 88,336 participants

“…Most of the previous studies that have investigated relations between noise and heart rate have done so in experimental settings (Goyal et al;Holand et al, 1999;Raggam et al, 2007) or in children (Belojevic et al, 2008;Regecová and Kellerová, 1995;van Kempen et al, 2006). Some of these studies also reported inconsistent results for BP and HR (Belojevic et al, 2008;Regecová and Kellerová, 1995).…”

Noise Exposure Effects on Blood Glucose, Cortisol and Weight Changes in the Male Mice

“…It is estimated that more than 600 million people in the world are exposed to hazardous noise in their work environment (3). Noise can affect the human body through several ways; for instance, it can lead to auditory damage, interfere with the conversation, have negative effects on the visual organs, affect the balance system, cause neurological and psychological problems, affect electrolytes, have an impact on hormonal system and finally cause physiological and mental problems (4)(5)(6)(7). Noise can act as a non-specific stressor inducing stress reactions, anxiety disorders, insomnia and syndromes of immune deregulation as well as hearing impairment (8).…”

Occupational Noise Exposure and the Risk of Hypertension

“…1 Community and occupational noise have been related to increased risk of hypertension, 2-4 hypothetically through altered activation of the autonomic nerve system. 5,6 The results seem more consistent for community noise, although a recent study showed marked risk differences among countries. 7,8 The evidence regarding occupational noise is less consistent.…”

“…Moreover, few studies show positive associations between exposure to industrial noise and change in blood pressure over time. 6,35 To our knowledge, only one previous study 10 has investigated the incidence of hypertension, and it showed a positive association with noise exposure. Our study has several strengths compared with earlier studies.…”