Home environment and noise disturbance in a national sample of multi-family buildings in Sweden-associations with medical symptoms

Background Poor acoustic conditions at home can have negative health impact. The aim was to investigate home environment factors and medical symptoms associated with noise disturbance. Methods All adults (≥18 y) registered in selected apartments in Sweden were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey including medical questions and personal factors. Totally 5775 adults participated (response rate 46%). Information on home environment was obtained through an indoor environment questionnaire. Two-level logistic regression models (individual, municipality) were performed to estimate associations. Results Totally 11.9% reported noise disturbance in general at home. Noise disturbance from voice/radio/TV/music/similar sounds from neighbours (13.2%), scraping sound/footsteps/thumping from neighbours (16.5%) and road traffic (16.1%) were common. Younger age and smoking were related to more noise disturbance and more medical symptoms. Noise disturbance was related to tiredness, headache and difficulty concentrating (OR = 1.70–8.19). Renting the apartment (OR = 2.53) and living above ground floor (OR = 1.37) were related to more noise disturbance in general. Living in newer buildings (constructed from 1986 to 2005) was related to less noise disturbance in general (OR = 0.40–0.59). A warmer climate (OR = 1.95), higher municipality population density (OR = 1.24), a longer living time (OR = 1.34), construction year (1961–1975) (OR = 2.42), renting (OR = 1.80–2.32), living above ground floor (OR = 1.45) and having a bathroom fan (OR = 1.84) were associated with increased noise disturbance from neighbours. Factors associated with increased noise disturbance from installations or ventilation/fans/heat pumps included a warmer climate, higher municipality population density, construction year (1961–1995), renting and any mechanical ventilation. Higher municipality population density, construction year (especially 1961–1985) and renting were associated with more noise disturbance from traffic (OR = 1.77–3.92). Renting the apartment (OR = 1.73) and living above ground floor (OR = 1.60) were related to more severe traffic noise disturbances. Noise disturbance in general was partly a mediator of the effects of old buildings, renting the apartment and lack of mechanical ventilation on medical symptoms (% of total effect mediated by noise disturbance: 19–44.8%). Conclusions Noise disturbance can be associated medical symptoms. Younger age, smoking, a warmer climate, higher municipality population density and different building factors (e.g. renting the apartment, construction period 1961–1985) can be associated with noise disturbance.

Managing Construction Noise in Hong Kong - Facing a New Decade with Confidence

Hong Kong is a mature and busy metropolis with 7.5 million residents. Being constrained by limited land area for development, the cityscape of Hong Kong is primarily 3-dimensional in nature. The vast majority of the growing population is accommodated in closely packed high-rise residential towers. Similar to other major urban centres worldwide, Hong Kong citizens are affected by the virtually continuous construction activities expanding and renewing the city. The numerous construction sites are also bringing noise disturbance to some neighbourhoods. In 2020, the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department completed a feasibility study on managing construction noise, including those associated with renovation of domestic premises. Part of the study was the conducting of face-to-face interviews of more than 5,000 households via a large scale public survey to gauge their views on construction noise disturbance, among others. This paper describes the current state and conditions of construction noise in Hong Kong, the issues and constraints, as well as challenges and opportunities. Highlights from the scientifically conducted public survey will be included to provide a robust and more comprehensive description of the prevailing situation.

A cross-sectional survey of stigma towards people with a mental illness in the general public. The role of employment, domestic noise disturbance and age

Introduction Stigmatization impedes the social integration of persons recovering from mental illnesses. Little is known about characteristics of the stigmatized person that lessen or aggravate public stigma. Purpose This study investigates which characteristics of persons with mental illnesses (i.e. with a depression or a psychotic disorder) might increase or decrease the likelihood of public stigma. Methods Over 2,000 adults read one of sixteen vignettes describing a person with a depressive disorder or a psychotic disorder and answered a set of items measuring social distance. Results The person who was employed (vs. unemployed), or whose neighbors did not experience domestic noise disturbance (vs. disturbance) elicited significantly less social distance. Also persons with a depressive disorder elicited less social distance, vs. persons with a psychotic disorder. Conclusion Employment and good housing circumstances may destigmatize persons coping with mental illnesses. Mental health and social services should encourage paid employment, quality housing and other paths to community integration.

Individual differences show that only some bats can cope with noise-induced masking and distraction

Anthropogenic noise is a widespread pollutant that has received considerable recent attention. While alarming effects on wildlife have been documented, we have limited understanding of the perceptual mechanisms of noise disturbance, which are required to understand potential mitigation measures. Likewise, individual differences in response to noise (especially via perceptual mechanisms) are likely widespread, but lacking in empirical data. Here we use the echolocating bat Phyllostomus discolor, a trained discrimination task, and experimental noise playback to explicitly test perceptual mechanisms of noise disturbance. We demonstrate high individual variability in response to noise treatments and evidence for multiple perceptual mechanisms. Additionally, we highlight that only some individuals were able to cope with noise, while others were not. We tested for changes in echolocation call duration, amplitude, and peak frequency as possible ways of coping with noise. Although all bats strongly increased call amplitude and showed additional minor changes in call duration and frequency, these changes could not explain the differences in coping and non-coping individuals. Our understanding of noise disturbance needs to become more mechanistic and individualistic as research knowledge is transformed into policy changes and conservation action.

A Data Concealing Technique with Random Noise Disturbance and a Restoring Technique for the Concealed Data by Stochastic Process Estimation

We propose a technique to conceal data on a physical layer by disturbing them with some random noises, and moreover, a technique to restore the concealed data to the original ones by using the stochastic process estimation. Our concealing-restoring system manages the data on the physical layer from the data link layer. In addition to these proposals, we show the simulation result and some applications of our concealing-restoring technique.

Loudspeaker Noise Disturbance Control using Optimal and Robust Controllers

Noise reduction is the major issue in the loudspeaker for the application of the musical instruments and related areas. In this paper, a noise disturbance control of a loudspeaker with optimal and robust controllers has been done successfully. The noise of the loudspeaker has been analyzed by simply track a reference cone displacement with the actual cone displacement. Static output feedback and H infinity optimal loop shaping controllers have been used to compare the actual and reference cone displacements by using a sine wave and random cone displacement signals and a promising results have been analyzed.

Loudspeaker Noise Disturbance Control using Optimal and Robust Controllers

Noise reduction is the major issue in the loudspeaker for the application of the musical instruments and related areas. In this paper, a noise disturbance control of a loudspeaker with optimal and robust controllers has been done successfully. The noise of the loudspeaker has been analyzed by simply track a reference cone displacement with the actual cone displacement. Static output feedback and H infinity optimal loop shaping controllers have been used to compare the actual and reference cone displacements by using a sine wave and random cone displacement signals and a promising results have been analyzed.