Anthropogenic Sound: Effects on the Behavior and Physiology of Fishes

Anthropogenic sound in the marine environment continues to increase. Sound sources range from increased vessel traffic to transient but intense sounds such as those produced by seismic air guns, pile driving, or some sonars. While most interest in anthropogenic sounds has focused on marine mammals, there is an increasing concern regarding the impact of such sounds on fishes and marine invertebrates. Since the inner ear hearing receptors of fishes are similar to those of marine mammals, any effects seen on the hearing receptors of marine mammals may also be found in fishes and vice versa. Despite increasing interest in the effects of sounds on fishes, this issue has only been addressed on the most limited scale. Here we review the current literature in this area. It has been reported that high sound levels can damage the inner ear sensory cells, produce hearing loss (threshold shifts), elicit stress responses, and alter the behavior of fishes. At least in terms of hearing loss, these effects are modulated by exposure sound level and duration. The effects of various types of sound (e.g., impulsive vs. continuous) and long-term impacts of how anthropogenic sounds affect the behavior and ecology of fishes need exploration in the future.

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Impact of sound levels and patient-related factors on sleep of patients in the intensive care unit: a cross-sectional cohort study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-76314-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Piotr F. Czempik ◽

Agnieszka Jarosińska ◽

Krystyna Machlowska ◽

Michał P. Pluta

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Sound Level ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sound Levels ◽

The Impact

Abstract Sleep disruption is common in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of the study was to measure sound levels during sleep-protected time in the ICU, determine sources of sound, assess the impact of sound levels and patient-related factors on duration and quality of patients' sleep. The study was performed between 2018 and 2019. A commercially available smartphone application was used to measure ambient sound levels. Sleep duration was measured using the Patient's Sleep Behaviour Observational Tool. Sleep quality was assessed using the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ). The study population comprised 18 (58%) men and 13 (42%) women. There were numerous sources of sound. The median duration of sleep was 5 (IQR 3.5–5.7) hours. The median score on the RCSQ was 49 (IQR 28–71) out of 100 points. Sound levels were negatively correlated with sleep duration. The cut-off peak sound level, above which sleep duration was shorter than mean sleep duration in the cohort, was 57.9 dB. Simple smartphone applications can be useful to estimate sound levels in the ICU. There are numerous sources of sound in the ICU. Individual units should identify and eliminate their own sources of sound. Sources of sound producing peak sound levels above 57.9 dB may lead to shorter sleep and should be eliminated from the ICU environment. The sound levels had no effect on sleep quality.

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Response of clupeid fish to ultrasound: a review

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1016/j.icesjms.2004.06.005 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 61 (7) ◽

pp. 1057-1061 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Arthur N. Popper ◽

Dennis T.T. Plachta ◽

David A. Mann ◽

Dennis Higgs

Keyword(s):

Inner Ear ◽

Sensory Epithelium ◽

Sound Level ◽

Behavioural Response ◽

American Shad ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Blueback Herring ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Directional Movement ◽

Anatomical Evidence

Abstract A number of species of clupeid fish, including blueback herring, American shad, and gulf menhaden, can detect and respond to ultrasonic sounds up to at least 180 kHz, whereas other clupeids, including bay anchovies and Spanish sardines, do not appear to detect sounds above about 4 kHz. Although the location for ultrasound detection has not been proven conclusively, there is a growing body of physiological, developmental, and anatomical evidence suggesting that one end organ of the inner ear, the utricle, is likely to be the detector. The utricle is a region of the inner ear that is very similar in all vertebrates studied to date, except for clupeid fish, where it is highly specialized. Behavioural studies of the responses of American shad to ultrasound demonstrate that they show a graded series of responses depending on the sound level and, to a lesser degree, on the frequency of the stimulus. Low-intensity stimuli elicit a non-directional movement of the fish, whereas somewhat higher sound levels elicit a directional movement away from the sound source. Still higher level sounds produce a “wild” chaotic movement of the fish. These responses do not occur until shad have developed the adult utricle that has a three-part sensory epithelium. We speculate that the response of the American shad (and, presumably, other clupeids that can detect ultrasound) to ultrasound evolved to help these species detect and avoid a major predator – echolocating cetaceans. As dolphins echolocate, the fish are able to hear the sound at over 100 m. If the dolphins detect the fish and come closer, the nature of the behavioural response of the fish changes in order to exploit different avoidance strategies and lower the chance of being eaten by the predators.

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Planar Cell Polarity Defects and Hearing Loss in Sperm-Associated Antigen 6 (Spag6)-Deficient Mice

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.00166.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaofei Li ◽

Daogong Zhang ◽

Lei Xu ◽

Yuechen Han ◽

Wenwen Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Inner Ear ◽

Cell Polarity ◽

Planar Cell Polarity ◽

Structural Features ◽

Sensory Cells ◽

Basal Bodies ◽

Cellular Polarity ◽

Central Apparatus ◽

Deficient Mice

Spag6 encodes an axoneme central apparatus protein that is required for normal flagellar and cilia motility. Recent findings suggest that Spag6 also plays a role in ciliogenesis, orientation of cilia basal feet, and planar polarity. Sensory cells of the inner ear display unique structural features that underlie their mechanosensitivity. They represent a distinctive form of cellular polarity, known as planar cell polarity (PCP). However, a role for Spag6 in the inner ear has not yet been explored. In the present study, the function of Spag6 in the inner ear was examined using Spag6-deficient mice. Our results demonstrate hearing loss in the Spag6 mutants, associated with abnormalities in cellular patterning, cell shape, stereocilia bundles and basal bodies, as well as abnormally distributed Frizzled class receptor 6 (FZD6), suggesting that Spag6 participates in PCP regulation. Moreover, we found that the sub-apical microtubule meshwork was disrupted. Our observations suggest new functions for Spag6 in hearing and PCP in the inner ear.

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Sound Level Exposure of High-Risk Infants in Different Environmental Conditions

Neonatal Network The Journal of Neonatal Nursing ◽

10.1891/0730-0832.25.1.25 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 25-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Jacqueline Byers ◽

W. Randolph Waugh ◽

Linda Lowman

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Sound Level ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Improvement Program ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Centered Care ◽

High Risk Infants ◽

The Impact

Purposes: To provide descriptive information about the sound levels to which high-risk infants are exposed in various actual environmental conditions in the NICU, including the impact of physical renovation on sound levels, and to assess the contributions of various types of equipment, alarms, and activities to sound levels in simulated conditions in the NICU.Design: Descriptive and comparative design.Sample: Convenience sample of 134 infants at a southeastern quarternary children’s hospital.Main Outcome Variable: A-weighted decibel (dBA) sound levels under various actual and simulated environmental conditions.Results: The renovated NICU was, on average, 4–6 dBA quieter across all environmental conditions than a comparable nonrenovated room, representing a significant sound level reduction. Sound levels remained above consensus recommendations despite physical redesign and staff training. Respiratory therapy equipment, alarms, staff talking, and infant fussiness contributed to higher sound levels.Conclusion: Evidence-based sound-reducing strategies are proposed. Findings were used to plan environment management as part of a developmental, family-centered care, performance improvement program and in new NICU planning.

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Can permanent sensorineural hearing loss be caused by sleeping with an ear against a train window?

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1258/002221502760237975 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 116 (9) ◽

pp. 695-698 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alasdair Robertson ◽

Brian Bingham ◽

George McIlwraith

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽

Sound Level ◽

Sensorineural Hearing ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Falling Asleep ◽

Short Period ◽

Sufficient Intensity ◽

Level Meter ◽

Moving Train

A patient presented to the authors with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss after falling asleep with his ear tightly pressed against a window of a moving train. This study set out to determine whether a train could generate sound levels of sufficient intensity to cause such a hearing loss. A sound level meter was used to measure the sound levels produced at the window of a moving train. Further measurements were made with a rubber attachment on the microphone, that simulated the effect of the ear stuck to the window. The sound levels were found to be amplified by the attachment but not to levels that could cause a hearing loss over a short period. In a second experiment eight healthy volunteers all perceived an increase in sound levels when their ears were pressed against a train window.It seems unlikely that sleeping with an ear against a train window can cause hearing loss, but it cannot be ruled out.

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RESEARCH ON EMERGING AND DESCENDING AIRCRAFT NOISE / KYLANČIŲ IR BESILEIDŽIANČIŲ ORLAIVIŲ KELIAMO TRIUKŠMO TYRIMAI

Mokslas - Lietuvos ateitis ◽

10.3846/mla.2013.54 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 337-342

Author(s):

Monika Bartkevičiūtė ◽

Raimondas Grubliauskas

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Traffic Noise ◽

Aircraft Engine ◽

Sound Level ◽

Aircraft Noise ◽

Large Radius ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Conducting Research ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact

Along with an increase in the aircraft engine power and growth in air traffic, noise level at airports and their surrounding environs significantly increases. Aircraft noise is high level noise spreading within large radius and intensively irritating the human body. Air transport is one of the main sources of noise having a particularly strong negative impact on the environment. The article deals with activities and noises taking place in the largest nationwide Vilnius International Airport.The level of noise and its dispersion was evaluated conducting research on the noise generated by emerging and descending aircrafts in National Vilnius Airport. Investigation was carried out at 2 measuring points located in a residential area. There are different types of aircrafts causing different sound levels. It has been estimated the largest exceedances that occur when an aircraft is approaching. In this case, the noisiest types of aircrafts are B733, B738 and AT72. The sound level varies from 70 to 85 dBA. The quietest aircrafts are RJ1H and F70. When taking off, the equivalent of the maximum sound level value of these aircrafts does not exceed the authorized limits. The paper describes the causes of noise in aircrafts, the sources of origin and the impact of noise on humans and the environment. Article in Lithuanian. Santrauka Padidėjus orlaivių variklių galiai ir daugėjant skrydžių, labai padidėjo oro uostuose ir šalia jų esančiose apylinkėse skleidžiamo triukšmo lygis. Lėktuvo keliamas triukšmas išsiskiria aukštu garso slėgio lygiu bei dideliu spinduliu sklindančiu garsu ir yra labiausiai dirginantis žmogaus organizmą. Orlaivių transportas – vienas pagrindinių triukšmo šaltinių, darantis ypač didelę neigiamą įtaką aplinkai. Nagrinėjamas Tarptautiniame Vilniaus oro uoste kylančių ir tupiančių orlaivių keliamas triukšmas. Triukšmo tyrimai atlikti gyvenamojoje aplinkoje greta oro uosto parinktose matavimo vietose. Pateikiami įvairių orlaivių tipų sukeliamo garso stiprumo – garso slėgio lygiai. Didžiausias leistinųjų verčių viršijimas nustatomas orlaiviams leidžiantis. Triukšmingiausi B733, B738 ir AT72 tipo orlaiviai – garso slėgio lygis 70–85 dBA. Vieni tyliausių orlaivių – RJ1H ir F70. Jiems kylant ekvivalentinės ir maksimalios garso slėgio lygio reikšmės neviršija leidžiamųjų. Aprašomos orlaivių keliamo triukšmo priežastys, kilimo šaltiniai. Nagrinėjamas triukšmo poveikis žmogui ir aplinkai.

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Impact Analysis of Noise Intensity with Hearing Loss on Laundry Worker

JURNAL KESEHATAN LINGKUNGAN ◽

10.20473/jkl.v8i2.2016.229-237 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 229

Author(s):

Rindy Astike Dewanty ◽

Sudarmaji Sudarmaji

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Noise Intensity ◽

Impact Analysis ◽

Sound Level ◽

Average Intensity ◽

Intensity Noise ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Keywords Hearing Loss ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

The Impact

Abstract: Laundry unit at a hospital can be a source of noise. The impact was very dangerous for workers, especially against hearing. From the results of a preliminary survey of the noise intensity measurements obtained intensity noise of 81.2 dB (A). The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of noise on hearing loss intensity laundry attendant. This study was an observational with cross sectional design. The instrument used was a questionnaire to see the characteristics of the respondent, sound level meter to measure the intensity of noise and audiometry test to measure the threshold of hearing respondents. The research subject as many as 16 workers of laundry. Based on the results of the study states that 75% of the existing work in the laundry unit has a noise intensity exceeds the required value and 12 officers were on the section. The measurement results with minimum of 65.4 dB (A), to a maximum of 84.0 dB( A) andthe average intensity of noise by 79.04 dB (A). Obtained eight workers (50%) had hearing loss right ear and 6 offi cers (37.5%) had hearing loss left ear. There was a relationship between impaired right ear with noise intensity (Spearman; r = 0.577). The need hearing health for periodic examination least once a year, reducing device noise to keep the noise source, and personal protective equipment (PPE).Keywords: hearing loss, intensity noise, laundry

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PROBABILITY OF OCCURRENCE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS ON SCAFFOLDING CAUSED BY NOISE EXPOSURE

Journal of Civil Engineering and Management ◽

10.3846/jcem.2018.5716 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (6) ◽

pp. 437-443 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marek Jabłoński ◽

Iwona Szer ◽

Jacek Szer

Keyword(s):

Noise Exposure ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Noise Pollution ◽

Sound Level ◽

Work Environments ◽

Exposure Level ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Safety Risks ◽

Noise Measurements ◽

The Impact

The paper presents the results of measurements for one hundred and ten scaffolds located in five cities in different parts of Poland. Measurements were made between April of 2016 and October of 2017. The environmental tests performed on scaffoldings were focused mainly on the sound level. The parameters on which we base our analysis are the value of C-weighted peak sound levels and daily noise exposure level. The noise that affects construction workers on scaffolding may influence the behaviour of workers and increase the risk of accidents. And at the same time, noise exposure laws facilitate identification of high noise-emitting activities and provide effective preventive measures that reduce noise pollution and improve work environments. The analyses carried out confirmed the qualitatively expected dependencies, and allowed us to quantify the impact of noise to which scaffolding workers are exposed. In summary, noise measurements on scaffoldings can be a valuable aid in improving working conditions. The analysis of research results allows understanding hazards related to noise in an accessible way. They provide the opportunity to modify the professional environment so that it is more employee-friendly and does not expose them to problems occurring in a noisy work environment.

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Research: Replacing Overhead Paging with Smartphones to Reduce Hospital Noise

Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology ◽

10.2345/0899-8205-54.4.251 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (4) ◽

pp. 251-257

Author(s):

Colleen A. Hughes Driscoll ◽

Michael Cleveland ◽

Samuel Gurmu ◽

Sarah Crimmins ◽

Dina El-Metwally

Keyword(s):

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Average Rate ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Sound Level ◽

Recorded Sound ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Inpatient Settings ◽

Level Meter ◽

Hospital Noise ◽

The Impact

Abstract Hospital noise is associated with adverse effects on patients and staff. Communication through overhead paging is a major contributor to hospital noise. Replacing overhead paging with smartphones through a clinical mobility platform has the potential to reduce transitory noises in the hospital setting, though this result has not been described. The current study evaluated the impact of replacing overhead paging with a smartphone-based clinical mobility platform on transitory noise levels in a labor and delivery unit. Transitory noises were defined as sound levels greater than 10 dB above baseline, as recorded by a sound level meter. Prior to smartphone implementation, 77% of all sound levels at or above 60 dB were generated by overhead paging. Overhead pages occurred at an average rate of 3.17 per hour. Following smartphone implementation, overhead pages were eliminated and transitory noises decreased by two-thirds (P < 0.001). The highest recorded sound level decreased from 76.54 to 57.34 dB following implementation. The percent of sounds that exceeded the thresholds recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency and International Noise Council decreased from 31.2% to 0.2% following implementation (P < 0.001). Replacement of overhead paging with a clinical mobility platform that utilized smartphones was associated with a significant reduction in transitory noise. Clinical mobility implementation, as part of a noise reduction strategy, may be effective in other inpatient settings.

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