Effect of Tonal Noise and Irrelevant Background Speech on Neurophysiological Based on Personality Traits: An Experimental Study

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of tonal noise and background speech on neurophysiological parameters and noise annoyance based on personality characteristics. Methods: In this experimental study, 25 male students were exposed to four scenarios of tonal noise, irrelevant speech, and broadband noise as a reference in a simulated laboratory environment. The LF/HF index and galvanic skin response were recorded before and during exposure to the noise. The level of noise annoyance was determined at the end of each test session using the noise annoyance questionnaire according to ISO 15666. Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) indicated that the difference between the values of neurophysiological indices and noise annoyance in different noise exposure scenarios was significant (P<0.05). The effect of different tonal sound levels on galvanic skin response and noise annoyance was significant (P<0.05). In addition, the effect of 65 dB tonal sound level and 55 dB speech sound level on the LF/HF index was reported to be significant (P<0.05). Also, the effect size of 1.919 in exposure to 65 dB tonal sound level had the highest value compared to other noise exposure scenarios for the noise annoyance variable. Conclusion: Exposure to different levels of tonal noise and irrelevant speech leads to disruption of individuals' neurophysiological parameters and noise annoyance in individuals regarding some of their characteristics and personality traits