The Handbook of Hearing and the Effects of Noise

Book excerpt: This volume is a comprehensive source of information on the fundamentals of hearing and sound physics. Using research from 1980 onward, this book is a critical review of past and up-to-date research findings and concepts on the effects of noise on people; it focuses on the psychological and physiological affects of noise on hearing and performance. This text elucidates the interrelations of the acoustical, physiological, psychological, and sociological factors that are involved in making noise a problem to individuals and societies. Also discussed are hearing loss, speech communications, annoyance, and health effects criteria for the limitation of exposures to noise in living and work areas. Key Features * Physical characteristics of sound and noise * Acoustical-sensorineural response characteristics of the ear * Basic psychological sensations and perceptions that ensue from analysis of sound and noise by the auditory system * Laboratory and real-life research on the impairments to hearing, speech communication, task performance, and mental and bodily health that occur from exposure to noise * Physical measures which predict adverse effects on hearing, behavior, and health from exposure to noise