MARTIN ROOSLI - Children and noise

Summary

In this informative talk, Professor Martin Rosely delves into the impact of noise on children's health, distinguishing noise from sound and its effects on hearing and overall well-being. He discusses the physiological responses to noise, including stress and potential long-term health risks such as cardiometabolic disorders. The lecture highlights research findings linking noise exposure to cognitive impairments, behavioral issues, and even birth outcomes, emphasizing the need for further study to fully understand the long-term consequences on children's development.

Takeaways

• 🔊 Noise is defined as audible sound that causes disturbance, impairment, or health damage, involving a subjective judgment on what is considered noise.
• 📊 Sound is measured in decibels (dB), with an increase of three decibels corresponding to a doubling of sound pressure, and human hearing is frequency-dependent.
• 🌙 The term 'Lden' represents the average sound pressure values adjusted for day, evening, and night, with penalties added for evening and night hours.
• 👂 The human ear never sleeps, continuously processing sounds even during sleep, which can be problematic when exposed to noise from sources like major roads.
• 🚗 Noise acts as a stressor on the body, potentially leading to increased blood pressure, pulse rate, and the release of stress hormones, affecting health over time.
• 🧠 Noise exposure has been linked to cognitive effects, mood changes, depression, and cardiovascular diseases, with potential impacts on learning and memory.
• 📚 Research indicates that higher noise exposure, particularly from aircraft near schools, is associated with lower reading scores in children.
• 🛌 Noise can disrupt sleep and create indirect psychological reactions, such as anger and annoyance, which can increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
• 👶 Studies on birth outcomes and noise exposure in children are limited and inconclusive, but recent research suggests a potential link with preterm births.
• 🩺 Blood pressure and cardiovascular effects of noise exposure are well-established in adults, but research in children is less clear, with some studies showing slight positive associations.
• 👦 Behavioral problems in children, such as aggression, have been linked to chronic noise exposure, as demonstrated in studies from Denmark.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between noise and sound according to Martin Rosely's presentation?

Noise is defined as audible sound that causes disturbance, impairment, or health damage, whereas sound is a more general term for vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's ear.

How does the human body perceive noise as a stressor?

Noise acts as a stressor by preparing the body for a fight or flight response, which includes changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, and the release of glucose and stress hormones.

What is the significance of the term 'Lden' in the context of noise measurement?

Lden stands for day-evening-night and represents an average sound pressure level with penalties added for evening and night hours to account for the increased sensitivity to noise during these times.

What are the typical decibel levels for speech and high traffic noise?

Typical speech level is around 65 decibels, while high traffic noise is around 70 to 80 decibels.

What health issues can be associated with long-term exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels?

Long-term exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels can lead to hearing damage, sleep disorders, and increased risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases due to the stress response it induces in the body.

How does the ear's function during sleep relate to noise exposure?

Even during sleep, the ear continues to process sounds, which can lead to sleep disturbances and potential health issues if the noise exposure is significant and continuous, such as living near a major road.

What are the WHO noise guidelines for night and LDN (Long-term average noise level for day-night)?

The WHO noise guidelines for night and LDN are quite low, indicating that a substantial part of the global population is exposed to noise levels known to be detrimental to health.

What was the finding of the study on children's reading scores in relation to aircraft noise exposure at schools?

The study found that higher noise exposure from aircraft at schools was associated with lower reading scores in children aged 9 to 10 years.

What are some of the potential pathways through which noise exposure might affect children's cognitive performance?

Potential pathways include direct effects on sleep, interaction with noise sensitivity and annoyance, and health-related quality of life, which can lead to stress hormones affecting learning processes and cognitive functions.

What findings have been reported in studies looking into the association between noise exposure and birth outcomes in children?

Studies on the association between noise exposure and birth outcomes have been inconsistent, with some showing no significant effects, while others, like the large study around Los Angeles International Airport, found an association with preterm birth.

How does noise exposure potentially impact children's blood pressure and cardiovascular health?

While the evidence is not as clear as in adults, some studies have shown slightly positive but non-significant associations between noise exposure at school or home and children's blood pressure, indicating a need for further research.

What behavioral problems have been linked to chronic noise exposure in children?

Chronic noise exposure in children has been associated with increased aggressive behavior, as demonstrated in studies such as the one from Denmark.