HVAD GØR LYD TIL STØJ?

Resumé

Sounds are found everywhere, including the working environment. When sounds are

unwanted and annoying they are perceived as noise. An increasing number of people in

Denmark are reporting that they are exposed to loud noise in their working environment.

It is noteworthy that the reported incidence of noise exposure comes from non-industrial

trades, for example, from day-care institutions, and from schoolrooms. In order to reduce

annoyance due to work-related noise exposure, it is necessary to identify the circumstances

and factors that are important when sound is perceived as noise. The results of

our research demonstrate that noise of even low sound levels can cause considerable

annoyance. Moreover, a number of other factors are important in making sounds being

perceived as noise. They are, among others, the information content of the sounds, the

predictability and the possibility to control the sound, the characteristics of the work

tasks, prevention of the noise, and various individual factors, such as noise sensitivity

and hearing. Finally, not only is annoyance the effect of exposure to noise in the working

environment; our research points to the conclusion that sustained exposure to noise

can result in stress.