| 1. |
- Nilsson, Kerstin, et al.
(författare)
-
54 forskare: Inte alla klarar höjd pensions-ålder
- 2017
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Ingår i: Svenska Dagbladet, Stockholm. - 1101-2412.
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Ett hållbart och acceptabelt pensionssystem måste utformas utifrån personliga förutsättningar och förhållanden i arbetslivet, så att fler klarar att arbeta i högre ålder. Att enbart genom ekonomiska åtgärder höja pensionsåldern är inte långsiktigt hållbart, skriver 54 forskare.DEBATT | PENSIONForskning visar att cirka var fjärde har en diagnos eller skada orsakad av sitt arbete. Detta gör arbetsorsakad sjukdom och skada till ett betydelsefullt folkhälsoproblem. Att då enbart genom ekonomiska åtgärder höja pensionsåldern för samtliga (yrkes)grupper utifrån deras kronologiska ålder är inte långsiktigt hållbart när individers biologiska ålder är så olika bland annat till följd av arbetslivet. Detta är en demokratifråga. Forskning om äldre i arbetslivet och hållbart arbete visar att man då främst flyttar individer från pensionssystemet till sjukförsäkringssystemet och ökar klyftorna i samhället.Debatt Det här är en argumenterande text med syfte att påverka. Åsikterna som uttrycks är skribentens egna.Vi är 54 forskare som nu gemensamt har skrivit denna debattartikel. Anledningen är att vi är oroade över att cirka var fjärde blir sjuk av sitt arbete samtidigt som man i det förslag som ligger om att senarelägga ålderspensionen i princip utgår ifrån att arbetskraftsdeltagande enbart styrs av ekonomin. Vi vill trycka på betydelsen av åtgärder i arbetslivet för att komma tillrätta med ohälsan, det vill säga inte enbart ekonomiska restriktioner som tvingar folk som inte kan, vill och orkar att stanna kvar i arbetslivet till en högre kronologisk ålder.Pensionssystemet bygger på att vi ska arbeta en viss del av våra liv för att förtjäna möjligheter till pension. Vi bör dock inte enbart utgå ifrån antalet år sedan en person föddes, då korttidsutbildade generellt träder in på arbetsmarknaden tidigare än långtidsutbildade. De har alltså varit en del av arbetskraften från en yngre ålder. Människor med kortare utbildning har oftare ett arbete som innebär påfrestningar som kan inverka negativt på hälsotillståndet och som till och med kan påskynda det biologiska åldrandet. Dessutom lever korttidsutbildade generellt sett inte lika länge som långtidsutbildade, vilket delvis även avspeglar skilda livs- och arbetsvillkor.Den svenska sjukförsäkringsreformen 2008 avsåg att få tillbaka människor i arbete. Men studien fann att den faktiskt bidrog till att fler gick i tidig ålderspension av dem som var i åldern 55–64 år. Ökningen var störst bland korttidsutbildade. Mer än 5 procent fler gick i tidig ålderspension då det blev svårare att få sjukpenning och sjukersättning. Vi kan notera att det är vanligare att manliga chefer tar ut tidig ålderspension, jämfört med kvinnliga maskinskötare inom tillverkningsindustrin. I vissa yrken är det dessutom vanligare att människor, trots pension, både orkar och faktiskt ges möjlighet att arbeta vidare om de har en specialkompetens som efterfrågas. Om vi endast kombinerar ekonomiska morötter med piskor finns en stor risk att vi ökar klyftan mellan grupper som både kan och vill fortsätta att yrkesarbeta och personer som av olika skäl inte längre kan eller orkar.Ta nytta av den forskning som vi har tagit fram. Ett hållbart och acceptabelt pensionssystem måste utformas utifrån personliga förutsättningar och förhållanden i arbetslivet. Ett hållbart arbetsliv för allt fler i vår åldrande befolkning fordrar att vi samtidigt beaktar faktorer som relaterar till biologisk/kroppslig ålder, mental/kognitiv ålder samt social ålder/livsloppsfas och våra attityder som är kopplade till ålder. Vi måste ta större hänsyn till olika förutsättningar och varierande funktionsförmåga och utifrån detta anpassa de åtgärder som gör att arbetslivet blir möjligt och hållbart för allt fler även i högre ålder.”Morötter” är viktigare för en god arbetshälsa och hög produktivitet än en piska i form av oron för en dålig ekonomi.Forskning visar att pedagogik som bygger på ”morötter” oftast är betydligt bättre än ”piskor” för att nå framgångsrika och långsiktiga mål. ”Morötter” i samhället, för organisationer, företag och individer är därför viktiga för god arbetshälsa och fortsatt produktivitet och kan bidra till ett längre arbetsliv även för grupper som tidigare inte ens klarat av att arbeta fram till pensionsåldern. Genom forskning inom området har bland annat swage-modellen utarbetats. Detta är ett verktyg som visar på komplexiteten i ett hållbart arbetsliv och tillsammans med systematiskt arbetsmiljöarbete, handlingsplaner och åtgärder syftar till ett mer hållbart arbetsliv. Morötter är enligt forskningen i detta sammanhang åtgärder för en god fysisk och mental arbetsmiljö, avpassad arbetsbelastning, stödjande teknik, att man kan anpassa arbetstakten, alternativa arbetstidsmodeller vid behov. Det är viktigt att man känner sig trygg och förväntas och tillåts vara delaktig, att man blir sedd av chefen och arbetskamraterna. Att de egna arbetsuppgifterna upplevs som meningsfulla och behövda av andra skapar självförverkligande och tillfredsställelse i arbetet. Att man känner att ens arbetsuppgifter och man själv är viktig för organisationen och företaget. Att man trots högre ålder inkluderas i olika nysatsningar och får tillgång till kompetensutveckling och inte blir åsidosatt eller åldersdiskriminerad. Utvärderingar visar att de äldre medarbetarna som fick några av dessa anpassningar och möjligheter var mer effektiva, utvilade, stimulerade när de var på arbetet samtidigt som sjukfrånvaron minskade. Vilket i sin tur bidrar till ett längre arbetsliv för grupper som tidigare inte klarat av att arbeta fram till pensionsåldern. I organisationer som bygger på en deltagar- och lärandekultur rustas de anställda för att klara omställningar, nya arbetsuppgifter och vid behov även yrkesbyten.Med en åldrande befolkning där allt fler lever allt längre behöver vi arbeta till en högre ålder i framtiden för att pensionssystemet ska hålla. Men ”morötter” är viktigare för en god arbetshälsa och hög produktivitet än en piska i form av oron för en dålig ekonomi. Det kräver också att vi ändrar våra attityder och förhållningssätt till äldre på arbetsmarknaden, vilket vi bäst gör genom att organisationer och företag får incitament till och erbjuder mer individanpassade arbetsvillkor, särskilt för personer i högre ålder. Låt oss därför använda den framtagna kunskapen i praktiken för att göra arbetslivet friskt och hållbart för alla åldrar.
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| 2. |
- Nilsson, Kerstin, et al.
(författare)
-
Vi är oroade över senare ålderspension
- 2017
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Ingår i: Dagens Samhälle. - 1652-6511.
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Var fjärde person blir i dag sjuk till följd av sitt arbete. Att höja pensionsåldern för alla yrkesgrupper, utan konkreta åtgärder för att minska ohälsan, är därför problematiskt och mycket oroande. Det är, enligt forskarna, inte långsiktigt samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt att utan andra åtgärder höja pensionsåldern för alla. Vi – 54 forskare – är mycket oroade över konsekvenserna av att, som föreslagits, senarelägga ålderspensionen.Förslaget utgår i princip från arbetskraftsdeltagande i princip enbart styrs av ekonomin, medan forskningen visar att det bara är en av flera faktorer som styr hur länge och hur mycket människor väljer att arbeta.Det här sättet att lösa problemet med en åldrande befolkning och ett sviktande pensionssystem är inte samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt på lång sikt, utan riskerar bara att flytta runt folk mellan olika ersättningssystem. Pensionssystemet bygger på att vi ska arbeta en viss del av våra liv för att tjäna in vår pension. Vi bör dock inte enbart utgå ifrån ålder eller antalet år sedan en person föddes då korttidsutbildade generellt träder in på arbetsmarknaden tidigare än långtidsutbildade. De med kortare utbildningstid har alltså varit en del av arbetskraften från en yngre ålder. Människor med kortare utbildning har också oftare ett arbete som innebär påfrestningar som kan inverka negativt på hälsotillståndet och som till och med kan påskynda det biologiska åldrandet. Dessutom lever korttidsutbildade generellt sett inte lika länge som långtidsutbildade, vilket delvis även avspeglar skilda livs- och arbetsvillkor.Ta nytta av den forskning som vi har tagit fram. Ekonomin är självklart viktigt för att vi ska vilja arbeta, men den är som sagt enbart en av flera faktorer med betydelse vårt arbetsliv.Hälsotillståndet, både det fysiska och det mentala, har en avgörande betydelse för hur länge och hur mycket vi orkar arbeta. Ett fysiskt och mentalt belastande arbete är en stark riskfaktor för en nedsatt hälsa i slutet av arbetslivet. Arbetstid, arbetstakt och möjlighet till återhämtning spelar en allt större roll ju äldre vi blir. Andra aspekter är arbetsinnehåll, hur meningsfulla och stimulerande arbetsuppgifterna är, balansen mellan arbete och familjesituation och fritidsaktiviteter. Organisationskultur, ledarskapet, stöd i arbetet och kompetens har stor betydelse för om vi ska kunna och vilja arbeta till en högre ålder. Vi måste ta större hänsyn till olika förutsättningar och varierande funktionsförmåga och utifrån detta anpassa de åtgärder som gör att arbetslivet blir möjligt och hållbart för allt fler även i högre ålder.Ett hållbart och acceptabelt pensionssystem måste därför utformas utifrån personliga förutsättningar och förhållanden i arbetslivet. Ett hållbart arbetsliv för allt fler i vår åldrande befolkning fordrar att vi samtidigt beaktar faktorer som relaterar till biologisk/kroppslig ålder, mental/kognitiv ålder samt social ålder/livsloppsfas samt de attityder som är kopplade till ålder.
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| 3. |
- Aronsson, Gunnar, et al.
(författare)
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Healthy workplaces for women and men of all ages
- 2017
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this knowledge compilation is to contribute with knowledge about the work environment in relation to the ever-older workforce. How do employee needs and possibilities change from a course of life perspective? What should the employer and other work environment actors think about in order for the workforce to be able to and want to work to a high age?The Swedish Work Environment Authority wishes to give an overarching knowledge profile of different aspects of the work environment and the ageing workforce, and we therefore asked seven researchers to summarise the research-based knowledge within each of their areas, from a course of life and gender perspective. An eighth researcher acted as an editor for the anthology, and has also written the preface.In summary, the report shows that we are becoming even healthier, living ever longer and working to an ever higher age. Older people in the workforce are positive for the economy because productivity increases, and the business sector can make use of competent and experienced staff for a longer time. But for the older labour force to be healthy and want to work at higher ages, one needs to take into consideration how ageing influences health and the capacity to work. With age, all people are affected to different degrees by reduced vision, hearing and physical capacity, as well as longer reaction times. Even their cognitive capacity changes. Certain cognitive abilities are strengthened with rising age, while others deteriorate. With an ageing workforce, more employees have chronic illnesses, which, however, seldom affect the actual working ability. Changes in working life also affect health and wellbeing, for example deregulated work and the technical development. Age and previous experiences impact upon our ability to adapt to these changes. One factor that promotes adaptation is partly resilience (that is to say, resistance and the ability to adapt to the new), partly compensation strategies when the mental and physical resources change. There are no great differences between gender when it comes to the consequences of ageing on health and wellbeing in the work. On the other hand, the public health trend shows increasing differences in health between the lower educated and the higher educated - a difference increasing more quickly among women than among men. The gender-segregated labour market also means that more women than men work in physical and mentally burdensome work. Attitudes at the workplace also affect wellbeing and the will to continue working at higher ages. Men tend to be more sensitive to age discrimination while women run the risk of double discrimination, that is to say based upon both gender and age. Work environment and the attitude to an older workforce are central to the considerations that an employee makes in the choice between continuing to work and retiring. Other prerequisites that influence the decision are one’s own health, private finances and self-fulfilling activities.The employer can do a great deal to lengthen and improve their employees’ working life. Systematic work environment management benefits everyone, and it can contribute to everyone keeping their working ability and to older people wanting to and being able to work for longer. Occupational health services of good quality also play an important role. Technical aids and adaptation of the working pace and working tasks are other measures that improve the work environment for the older workforce. The employer can also contribute to stimulating work arrangements and organisational support for the employees in order to strengthen their resilience and promote the development of compensation strategies.
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| 4. |
- Ageborg Morsing, Julia, et al.
(författare)
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Wind Turbine Noise and Sleep: Pilot Studies on the Influence of Noise Characteristics
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 15:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The number of onshore wind turbines in Europe has greatly increased over recent years, a trend which can be expected to continue. However, the effects of wind turbine noise on long-term health outcomes for residents living near wind farms is largely unknown, although sleep disturbance may be a cause for particular concern. Presented here are two pilot studies with the aim of examining the acoustical properties of wind turbine noise that might be of special relevance regarding effects on sleep. In both pilots, six participants spent five consecutive nights in a sound environment laboratory. During three of the nights, participants were exposed to wind turbine noise with variations in sound pressure level, amplitude modulation strength and frequency, spectral content, turbine rotational frequency and beating behaviour. The impact of noise on sleep was measured using polysomnography and questionnaires. During nights with wind turbine noise there was more frequent awakening, less deep sleep, less continuous N2 sleep and increased subjective disturbance compared to control nights. The findings indicated that amplitude modulation strength, spectral frequency and the presence of strong beats might be of particular importance for adverse sleep effects. The findings will be used in the development of experimental exposures for use in future, larger studies.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Bartels, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of nocturnal road traffic noise, bedroom window orientation, and work-related stress on subjective sleep quality: results of a cross-sectional study among working women.
- 2021
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Ingår i: International archives of occupational and environmental health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 94, s. 1523-1536
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To examine the effect of work-related stress and road noise exposure on self-rated sleep and potential additive interaction effects.Sleep and predictor variables were surveyed within two subsamples with 2191 and 1764 working women in a cross-sectional study. Sleep was assessed using a single question on general sleep quality and four questions on specific sleep problems and subsequently dichotomized (poor sleep vs. no poor sleep). Work-related stress was operationalized by job strain and effort-reward imbalance. Nocturnal exposure to road traffic noise was assessed as (a) the orientation of the bedroom window to a quiet façade vs. a low-, medium- or high-trafficked street and (b) energy-equivalent sound pressure levels for night-time modelled at the most exposed façade (Lnight). We distinguished between low (<45dB(A)), medium (45-50dB(A)) and high exposure (>50dB(A)).Poor sleep was associated with job strain and effort-reward imbalance. The prevalence of poor sleep did not increase with increasing Lnight, but bedroom window orientation showed a non-significant trend. A quiet façade had a protective effect on sleep in each Lnight category. We found a non-significant trend for an additive interaction between bedroom window orientation and job strain.Noise levels modelled for the most exposed façade likely overestimate the actual exposure and thus may not be a precise predictor of poor sleep. Bedroom window orientation seems more relevant. Potential additive interaction effects between bedroom window orientation and job strain should be considered when interpreting epidemiological study results on noise-induced sleep disturbances.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Bengtsson, Johanna, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluations of effects due to low-frequency noise in a low demanding work situation
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Sound and Vibration. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-460X .- 1095-8568. ; 278:1-2, s. 83-99
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Noise sources with a dominating content of low frequencies (20-200 Hz) are found in many occupational environments. This study aimed to evaluate effects of moderate levels of low-frequency noise on attention, tiredness and motivation in a low demanding work situation. Two ventilation noises at the same A-weighted sound pressure level of 45 dB were used: one of a low-frequency character and one of a flat frequency character (reference noise). Thirty-eight female subjects worked with six performance tasks for 4 h in the noises in a between-subject design. Most of the tasks were monotonous and routine in character. Subjective reports were collected using questionnaires and cortisol levels were measured in saliva. The major finding in this study was that low-frequency noise negatively influenced performance on two tasks sensitive to reduced attention and on a proof-reading task. Performances of tasks aimed at evaluating motivation were not significantly affected. The difference in work performance was not reflected by the subjective reports. No effect of noise was found on subjective stress or cortisol levels.
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| 9. |
- Bengtsson, Johanna, 1974, et al.
(författare)
-
Sound characteristics in low frequency noise and their relevance for the perception of pleasantness
- 2004
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Ingår i: Acta Acoustica. ; 90:1, s. 171-180
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Noise sources with a dominant content of low frequencies (20-200 Hz) are found in many occupational environments. Work efficiency has been found in two earlier studies to be impaired to a larger degree when working in a low frequency ventilation noise than when working in a flat frequency ventilation noise at the same A-weighted sound pressure level. Other previous studies indicate that different sound characteristics found in low frequency noise are important for the way in which low frequency noise affects humans, and better knowledge of these characteristics could lead to better methods for assessing low frequency noise in occupational environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of frequency balance between low and high frequencies, which affects the slope of the frequency spectra, and the modulation frequency on subjects´ perception of a pleasant low frequency noise. The results showed that the subjects preferred either a higher or a lower modulation frequency as compared to that of the original low frequency noise, both choices leading to less perceivable modulations. Furthermore, the subjects preferred a lower relative content of frequencies below 500 Hz, but only as long as the original low frequency noise contained modulations and the variations were made within a constant A-weighted sound pressure level. The results are discussed in relation to improved guidelines and to the previously suggested theory of slope of the frequency spectra and problems involved with the implementation of that theory.
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| 10. |
- Bengtsson Ryberg, Johanna, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Low frequency noise in a paper mill control room
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control. - : SAGE Publications. - 0263-0923 .- 1461-3484 .- 2048-4046. ; 26:3, s. 165-176
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This field study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of annoyance and disturbance and the subjective perception of the sound environment due to noise, in an old and a new control room at a large paper mill. Working in a control room requires sustained attention and concentration and, in the case of error messages, rapid and correct decisions. In this study, the personnel's responses were collected by questionnaire, and detailed sound measurements were taken in both control rooms. The A-weighted sound pressure level in the new control room was 54.9 dB, a reduction from the 63.5 dB measured in the old room, and the C-weighted sound pressure level was 66.8 dB, a reduction from the 75.2 dB measured in the old room. The new control room was rated as being a less noisy environment; however, the personnel did complain about noise from other computers/equipment, radios, and the new laboratory.
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| 11. |
- Bengtsson Ryberg, Johanna, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Low frequency noise in a paper mill control room
- 2004
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Ingår i: The 11th International Meeting on Low Frequency Noise and Vibration and its Control, 2004 30 August-1 September, Maastricht, The Netherlands. ; , s. 15-25
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)
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| 12. |
- Berggren, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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Analysis of How the Noise Level Depends on Different Activities in a Child Day-Care Center
- 2008
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In child day-care centers the noise level can rise to high levels and in some cases become so high that the people present risk hearing damage. The purpose of this investigation was to study how the noise level depends on the different activities during the day. The study was performed at a child day-care center and 6 children and 5 adult female teachers participated. The participants had a microphone attached next to the ear connected to a wearable digital recorder. A total of 32.5 hours of data was recorded. By listening tests the recorded data could be sorted by activity and by number of people present in the same room as the test subject. Activities were classified as belonging to one of the following: outdoor activity, indoor play, singing, storytelling and gathering. Further, by listening, the data was classified in small group/large group (3 or less/more than 3). The results show that the average noise level (LAeq) for outdoor activity was the highest and was measured to 88.1 dBA (average over 7h52min). Singing was 81.5 dBA (1h26min), indoor play 81.3 dBA (19h21min), storytelling 76.6 dBA (1h09min) and gathering 75.0 dBA (2h44min). The noise level difference between all activities except between singing and indoor play and gathering and storytelling could be verified using t-test (p<0.001). Further, the results showed that the average noise level was 86.6 dBA (14h11min) for the large group and 79.6 dBA (18h21min) for the small group. This difference, of 7.0 dB was statistically validated (p<0.001) using t-test.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
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Bo i Ro : Texter från ett tvärvetenskapligt symposium om boende, buller och hälsa. Läkaresällskapets hus i Stockholm, den 20 oktober 2016
- 2016
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Proceedings (redaktörskap) (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Sveriges Regering fattade den 9 april 2015 beslut om en ny förordning medbestämmelser om riktvärden för buller utomhus för spårtrafik, vägar ochflygplatser vid bostadsbyggnader. Förordningen (2015:216) om trafikbullervid bostadsbyggnader träder i kraft den 1 juni 2015. I denna förordning finnsförändrade riktvärden för bullerexponering vid bostader som tillåter betydligtmer buller än tidigare, något som från många håll kritiserats för att medförahälsorisker.Ljudmiljöcentrums målsättning med symposiet Bo i Ro har varit lyfta fram densenaste forskningen om hälsa och buller, synliggöra förändringarna ibullerförordning som kan få konsekvenser vad gäller hälsa och välbefinnandeför stora delar av befolkningen samt diskutera strategier för framtida folkhälsa,boende & bullerhantering.Symposiet arrangerades av Ljudmiljöcentrum vid Lunds universitet isamarbete med arbets- och miljömedicin i Lund och riktade sig särskilt tillintresserade forskare, politiker och beslutsfattare.Nyckelord: Bo i Ro, bostäder, trafikbuller, ljudmiljö, folkhälsa, forskning.
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| 15. |
- Borgh, Markus, 1983-, et al.
(författare)
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The Effect of Own Voice on Noise Dosimeter Measurements : A Field Study in a Day-Care Environment, Including Adults and Children
- 2008
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Noise dosimeters are valuable tools in assessing the individual noise dose in the workplace. At non-industrial work places with a high degree of communication, such measurements would include the wearer’s own voice which would be registered as noise. This may not always be desirable. The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of the wearers own voice in noise dosimeter measurements, and especially the difference between children and adults as test subjects. The study took place at a day-care center and sixteen children and thirteen adult female preschool teachers participated. The participants wore a digital recorder during the day, which recorded the sound signal and vibrations originating from an accelerometer attached to the neck of the test subjects, for distinguishing of whether the subject was speaking or not. Thus, average A-weighted noise levels with and without the influence of the subjects own voice could be obtained. The Leq for the measurements with and without the own voice was 84.6 dBA and 72.2 dBA for the children, respectively, and 79.3 dBA and 70.0 dBA for adults. Student’s t-test showed a significant (p<0.01) difference of 12.4 dBA for children and 9.3 dBA for adults when comparing measurements including and excluding the own voice and also that the difference was significantly larger for children. Thus, the study conclude that the influence from the own voice implied an augmentation of the Leq value and that there is a significant difference between children and adults in how large this augmentation is.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Croy, Ilona, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of train noise and vibration on human heart rate during sleep –an experimental study
- 2013
-
Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 3:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives Transportation of goods on railways is increasing and the majority of the increased numbers of freight trains run during the night. Transportation noise has adverse effects on sleep structure, affects the heart rate (HR) during sleep and may be linked to cardiovascular disease. Freight trains also generate vibration and little is known regarding the impact of vibration on human sleep. A laboratory study was conducted to examine how a realistic nocturnal railway traffic scenario influences HR during sleep. Design Case–control. Setting Healthy participants. Participants 24 healthy volunteers (11 men, 13 women, 19–28years) spent six consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory. Interventions All participants slept during one habituation night, one control and four experimental nights in which train noise and vibration were reproduced. In the experimental nights, 20 or 36 trains with low-vibration or high-vibration characteristics were presented. Primary and secondary outcome measures Polysomnographical data and ECG were recorded. Results The train exposure led to a significant change of HR within 1min of exposure onset (p=0.002), characterised by an initial and a delayed increase of HR. The high-vibration condition provoked an average increase of at least 3bpm per train in 79% of the participants. Cardiac responses were in general higher in the high-vibration condition than in the low-vibration condition (p=0.006). No significant effect of noise sensitivity and gender was revealed, although there was a tendency for men to exhibit stronger HR acceleration than women. Conclusions Freight trains provoke HR accelerations during sleep, and the vibration characteristics of the trains are of special importance. In the long term, this may affect cardiovascular functioning of persons living close to railways.
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| 22. |
- Croy, Ilona, et al.
(författare)
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Optimal questions for sleep in epidemiological studies: Comparisons of subjective and objective measures in laboratory and field studies
- 2017
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Ingår i: Behavioural Sleep Medicine. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1540-2002 .- 1540-2010. ; 15:6, s. 466-482
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Epidemiological studies on sleep often use questionnaires, and measurement of validity provides necessary guidance in selection of valid single sleep questions. Twenty-five items assessing different aspects of sleep, including overall sleep quality, specific sleep parameters, nocturnal restoration, and exposure-related questions, were tested. This involved coherence with objective polysomnographic (PSG) laboratory measurements of sleep in 47 participants and application of selected items under field conditions in over 3,000 participants. Items on overall sleep quality correlated significantly with PSG data. For specific sleep parameter questions, tiredness in the morning, time to fall asleep, difficulties to sleep and estimated number of awakenings were correlated to PSG data. Questions asking specifically about the effect of potential sleep disturbances correlated poorly with PSG data, but showed highest effects between environmental exposure (noise and vibration) and control nights in the laboratory and highest correlation with the dose of exposure in the field. In conclusion, healthy participants seem to be able to access their sleep reliably; and sleep questions asking about specific sleep parameters can be recommended for the assessment of sleep.
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| 23. |
- Dellve, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Preschool Children's Experience and Understanding of Their Soundscape
- 2013
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Ingår i: Qualitative Research in Psychology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1478-0887 .- 1478-0895. ; 10:1, s. 1-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Noise may be a serious health problem in preschools. This article explores how preschool-aged children experience, understand, and cope with the soundscape at their preschools. Using a qualitative approach, 36 children (4-6 years old) were interviewed in 11 focus groups. The children related their experience of sound to the consequences the sound had for themselves, their understanding of its source, and their bodily and emotional experience of it. Their perceived trustfulness, comprehensibility, sound descriptions, and manageability of given sounds were interpreted in the model as an expression of uncontrollability. The degree of uncontrollability of sounds accounted for whether children were nondisturbed, disturbed, or distressed by their experience of it. Distressing noise was experienced as both physically and emotionally painful. The children handled such distress by flight, attempting to reduce the hearing sensation, turning to their teachers, and using cognitive strategies. It is important to increase our understanding of how children cope with distressing sounds at preschools.
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| 24. |
- Dzhambov, A. M., et al.
(författare)
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Protective effect of restorative possibilities on cognitive function and mental health in children and adolescents: A scoping review including the role of physical activity
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Environmental Research. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 233
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The exposome approach can be a powerful tool for understanding the intertwining of social, physical, and internal influences that shape mental health and cognitive development throughout childhood. To distil conceptual models for subsequent analyses, the EU-funded project Early Environmental quality and Life-course mental health effects (Equal-Life) has conducted literature reviews on potential mediators linking the expo some to these outcomes. We report on a scoping review and a conceptual model of the role of restorative possibilities and physical activity. Methods Peer-reviewed studies published since the year 2000 in English, on the association between the exposome and mental health/cognition in children/adolescents, and quantitatively investigating restoration/restorative quality as a mediating variable were considered. Database searches were last updated in December 2022. We used an unstructured expert-driven approach to fill in gaps in the reviewed literature.Results Five records of three distinct studies were identified, indicating a scarcity of empirical evidence in this newly developing research area. Not only were these studies few in numbers, but also cross-sectional, lending only tentative support to the idea that perceived restorative quality of adolescent's living environment might mediate the association between greenspace and mental health. Physical activity emerged as a mediator leading to better psychological outcomes in restorative environments. We provide a critical discussion of potential caveats when investigating the restoration mechanism in children and propose a hierarchical model including restoration, physical activity, and relational dynamics between children and their environment, including social context, as well as restorative environments other than nature.Conclusions It is justified to further explore the role of restoration and physical activity as mediators in the association between early-life exposome and mental health/cognitive development. It is important to consider the child perspective and specific methodological caveats. Given the evolving conceptual definitions/operationalizations, Equal-Life will attempt to fill in a critical gap in the literature.
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| 25. |
- Forssén, Jens, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Wind Turbine Noise Propagation over Flat Ground: Measurements and Predictions
- 2010
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Ingår i: Acta Acustica united with Acustica. - Stuttgart : S. Hirzel Verlag. - 1610-1928 .- 1861-9959. ; 96:4, s. 753-760(8)
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Noise from wind turbines is of concern in the planning process of new wind farms, and accurate estimations of immission noise levels at residents nearby are required. Sound propagation from wind turbine to receiver could be modelled by a simplified standard model assuming constant meteorological conditions, by an engineering method taking atmospheric and ground propagation conditions into account, or by a more exact model. Epidemiological studies have found a higher frequency of annoyance due to wind turbine noise than to other community noise sources at equal noise levels, indicating that the often used simplified model is not sufficient. This paper evaluates the variation of immission sound levels under the influence of meteorological variation and explores if the prediction of levels could be improved by taking the effect of wind speed on sound propagation into account. Long-term sound recordings and measurements at a distance of 530 m from a wind turbine show that the simplified standard model predicts the average sound pressure levels satisfactorily under downwind conditions, and that a more complex propagation model might not be needed for wind turbine noise at a relatively short distance. Large variations of sound immission levels at the same wind speed were however present. Statistical analysis revealed that these variations were influenced by meteorological parameters, such as temperature, static pressure and deviation from ideal downwind direction. The overall results indicate that meteorological factors influence the noise generated by the wind turbine rather than the sound propagation.
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| 26. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Current perspective on children’s auditory perception and consequences of noise exposure effects
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. - : Acoustical Society of America (ASA). - 0001-4966.
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Exposure to high sound pressure levels is well known to cause auditory damage, regardless of age. There is however limited knowledge of the effects on hearing due to noise exposure early in life. In addition, no well-established model is used to describe how children perceive and experience their sound environment compared to adults. New studies of children’s hearing have revealed different directivity pattern especially at high frequencies given by the head-related transfer functions due to the anthropometric data of the children and also an ear canal resonance at considerable higher frequencies compared to adults. Recent studies also describe children feeling a great deal of discomfort when exposed to sounds with high frequency characteristics. Children today are exposed to high sound levels from an early age at preschool, school and during leisure time. Few studies have looked at general health effects or hearing in particular. It is being discussed whether age related hearing loss, regarded as an inevitable part of life, to a large extent may be caused by a lifetime of noise exposure starting early in life. This paper will review available studies on noise induced hearing damage among children and give suggestions for future studies within this field.
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| 27. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
Exposure to high sound levels and risk of hearing related disorder among obstetrics personnel
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of 11th International Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem (ICBEN), 1-5 June 2014, Nara, Japan.
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Exposure to high sound levels is a well-known cause of hearing disorder. However, this has not been adequately studied in non-industrial work environments. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was performed in an obstetrics ward including sound level measurements and a questionnaire survey among personnel (response rate 72%, n=115). Among 55 of those a nested case-control study was performed, with measurements of pure-tone audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and hearing in noise test (HINT). The sound level measurements showed that 46% of the measured shifts exceeded 80 dB LAeq and 27% of the shifts exceeded 115 dB LAFmax. More than half of the participants reported one or more hearing-related symptom and almost half of the group reported work-related stress and noise annoyance. Calculated cumulative occupational noise dose was significantly associated with increased odds of tinnitus and sound fatigue in logistic regression models. A small proportion of the participants had worse hearing compared to age-specific reference for audiometry at 6-8 kHz. Impaired hearing as measured by audiometry and DPOAE was furthermore significantly correlated to cumulative occupational noise dose. The study shows that obstetrics personnel are exposed to high sound levels and have an increased risk of hearing disorder. This indicates a need for preventive action related to noise exposure in the obstetrics care.
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| 28. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Hearing-related symptoms and occupational noise exposure among women: An intervention study in preschool and obstetrics care
- 2020
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Ingår i: 13th ICBEN Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem, Stockholm.
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent cross-sectional studies have showed that preschool teachers and obstetrics personnel risk developing hearing-related symptoms associated with noise exposure. An ongoing cohort follow-up and intervention study will provide causal interpretations and evaluation of preventive factors. This presentation will include an overview of the project with focus on the intervention study, assessing effects on self-reported noise exposure and hearing-related symptoms. The intervention was performed at one preschool and one obstetrics care unit with two control workplaces each. A participatory approach was used, involving personnel, managers and health and safety representatives. The process followed a common structure in identifying, selecting, implementing and evaluating the interventions, whereas the interventions were tailored to each workplace. Survey data was collected at baseline and two follow-ups, and analysed using generalised estimating equation (GEE). We did not find significant positive effects of the intervention. Factors such as limited resources for implementation and other work environment deteriorations probably explain some of the negative results. Meanwhile, qualitative data indicated positive experiences of the interventions. Thus, we suggest further studies with control of implementation and other changes in the workplace.
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| 29. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
Occupational noise exposure, noise annoyance, hearing-related symptoms, and emotional exhaustion - a participatory-based intervention study in preschool and obstetrics care
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1933-8244 .- 2154-4700. ; 78:7-8, s. 423-434
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A participatory-based intervention was performed in Sweden, aimed at improving the sound environment in one preschool (n=20) and one obstetric ward (n=50), with two controls each (n=28, n=66). Measured sound levels, and surveys of noise annoyance, hearing-related symptoms and emotional exhaustion were collected before, and three and nine months after the interventions, comparing intervention and control groups over time. The results of this first implementation in a limited number of workplaces showed significantly worsening of hyperacusis, sound-induced auditory fatigue, emotional exhaustion and increased sound levels in the preschool, and worsening of noise annoyance in both intervention groups. Increased risk awareness, limited implementation support and lack of psychosocial interventions may explain the worsening in outcomes, as might the worse baseline in the intervention groups. The complexity of the demands in human-service workplaces calls for further intervention studies.
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| 30. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Preschool teachers have an increased risk of hearing-related symptoms and report more occupational noise exposure compared to randomly selected women
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Occupational Health: Think Globally, Act Locally, EPICOH 2016, September 4–7, 2016, Barcelona, Spain. Occupational & Environmental Medicine. ; 73:A191
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Noise-induced hearing disorder has been thoroughly studied among workers in industry-like settings, but less so in female-dominated occupations. In Sweden, noise-related occupational disease among women are reported most frequently in the education sector. We analysed questionnaires from 4,932 women with preschool teacher’s degree who have worked in preschool compared to 5,065 randomly selected women without preschool work-history (response rate 51% vs. 38%). The age range was 24–71 in both cohorts (mean 46 [SD 11] among preschool teachers and 51 [11] among controls). Prevalence and prevalence ratio in age-strata and Mantel-Haenszel pooled risk were calculated for hearing-related symptoms. Noise exposure was compared between the cohorts. A 5% level of significance was applied. Occupational noise exposure and noise annoyance were significantly more common among teachers than controls: 75% vs.31% and 69% vs.26%, respectively. Still, significantly fewer teachers used hearing protection: 3% vs. 4%. Prevalence of hearing-related symptoms was much higher among teachers than controls: sound-induced auditory fatigue (71% [95% CI: 70–72] vs. 31% [30–32]), difficulty perceiving speech (46% [45–47] vs. 26% [25–27] and hyperacusis (38% [37–39] vs. 18% [17–19] and slightly higher for hearing loss (19% [18–20] vs. 17% [6–18] and tinnitus (19% [18–20] vs. 15% [14–16]. Teachers had a twofold risk of sound-induced auditory fatigue (PR-MH 2.2 [95% CI: 2.1–2.3] and hyperacusis (PR-MH 2.1 [1.9–2.2] compared to controls, when adjusted for age. The risk was also increased for difficulty perceiving speech (PR-MH 1.8 [1.7–1.9], tinnitus (PR-MH 1.4 [1.3–1.6] and hearing loss (PR-MH 1.4 [1.3–1.5]. Mean age of onset was significantly lower among teachers for all symptoms, except for hyperacusis (p = 0.902). Leisure-noise was significantly more common among controls. Family history of hearing loss did not differ (p = 0.411). The study is the first to show that preschool teachers have an increased risk of hearing-related symptoms, which may be caused by the work environment.
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| 31. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
Qualitative studies on the experience of noise in communication-intense workplaces before and after a participatory intervention
- 2023
-
Ingår i: 14th ICBEN Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem, 18-22 June, Belgrade Serbia.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Personnel in communication-intense workplaces are exposed to noise, occasionally so high they risk hearing-related disorders. Still, intervention studies are few, with ambiguous results. To increase the impact and sustainability of the interventions, we used a participatory method in which personnel and managers at one preschool and one obstetrics ward were actively involved in the intervention process. To identify work environment problems to target in the intervention, we performed qualitative focus group interviews prior to the intervention among 16 personnel and managers. Four main themes emerged from the inductive thematic analysis: a challenging and harmful sound environment, the sound environment causing hearing-related symptoms and health effects, a good sound environment not being prioritised, and resourceful and motivated personnel. As the participatory intervention entailed implementation of several changes, we also performed interviews post-intervention among nine personnel and managers from the preschool and the obstetrics ward where interventions had been implemented. Five main themes emerged from the inductive thematic analysis: increased awareness of the sound environment and risks to hearing and health, increased control over the sound environment, influence of the building and interior design, other factors influencing the intervention process (concurrent work environment issues such as stress, and limited resources), and motivation to maintain the positive changes. We conclude that the personnel perceive a risk to their hearing and health and that sound environment improvements should be prioritised in communication-intense workplaces. A participatory approach may facilitate motivation and empowerment to change, but resources and support are needed for comprehensive and effective implementation.
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| 32. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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The effect of occupational noise exposure on tinnitus and sound-induced auditory fatigue among obstetrics personnel: a cross-sectional study.
- 2015
-
Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 5:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective There is a lack of research on effects of occupational noise exposure in traditionally female-dominated workplaces. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess risk of noise-induced hearing-related symptoms among obstetrics personnel. Design A cross-sectional study was performed at an obstetric ward in Sweden including a questionnaire among all employees and sound level measurements in 61 work shifts at the same ward. Participants 115 female employees responded to a questionnaire (72% of all 160 employees invited). Main outcome measures Self-reported hearing-related symptoms in relation to calculated occupational noise exposure dose and measured sound levels. Results Sound levels exceeded the 80dB LAeq limit for protection of hearing in 46% of the measured work shifts. One or more hearing-related symptoms were reported by 55% of the personnel. In logistic regression models, a significant association was found between occupational noise exposure dose and tinnitus (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.09) and sound-induced auditory fatigue (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.07). Work-related stress and noise annoyance at work were reported by almost half of the personnel. Sound-induced auditory fatigue was associated with work-related stress and noise annoyance at work, although stress slightly missed significance in a multivariable model. No significant interactions were found. Conclusions This study presents new results showing that obstetrics personnel are at risk of noise-induced hearing-related symptoms. Current exposure levels at the workplace are high and occupational noise exposure dose has significant effects on tinnitus and sound-induced auditory fatigue among the personnel. These results indicate that preventative action regarding noise exposure is required in obstetrics care and that risk assessments may be needed in previously unstudied non-industrial communication-intense sound environments.
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| 33. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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The effect of occupational noise on hearing-related symptoms - exploring mediating and modifying effect of annoyance and stress
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the 12th ICBEN Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem (Vol. 6, pp. 18-22)..
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT Noise-induced hearing disorder is under reported in female-dominated occupations, hindering knowledge on associated risk factors. We performed a cross-sectional study in Sweden, including 4,718 female preschool teachers and 4,122 randomly selected women age 24-65. In hypothesised causal models, we explored the effect of occupational noise exposure (e.g. self-reported retrospective and current exposure, hearing protection) on hearing-related symptoms (hearing loss, speech perception, tinnitus, hyperacusis, soundinduced auditory fatigue). Noise annoyance, job-stress and stress response were assessed for mediating and modifying effects. Exposure to occupational noise significantly increased the risk of hearing-related symptoms among preschool teachers (RRs 1.19-1.42 in adjusted log-binomial regression models). Consistent with our hypothesis, annoyance mediated the effect of noise exposure on soundinduced auditory fatigue (indirect effect β=0.28). In contrast, annoyance modified the effect of noise exposure on both hyperacusis and speech perception. For sound-induced auditory fatigue and hyperacusis, job-stress exposure and stress response both modified the effect and significantly interacted with noise exposure. The models provide better understanding of possible mechanisms for developing hearing-related symptoms. These findings will be further explored using longitudinal design.
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| 34. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
The Impact of Occupational Noise Exposure on Hyperacusis: a Longitudinal Population Study of Female Workers in Sweden.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Ear and Hearing. - 1538-4667. ; 43:4, s. 1366-1377
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim was to assess the risk of hyperacusis in relation to occupational noise exposure among female workers in general, and among women working in preschool specifically.A retrospective longitudinal study was performed. Survey data were collected in 2013 and 2014 from two cohorts: randomly selected women from the population in region Västra Götaland, Sweden, and women selected based on having received a preschool teacher degree from universities in the same region. The final study sample included n = 8328 women born between 1948 and 1989. Occupational noise exposure was objectively assigned to all time periods from the first to the last reported occupation throughout working life, using the Swedish Job-Exposure Matrix (JEM) with three exposure intervals: <75 dB(A), 75 to 85 dB(A), and >85 dB(A). The JEM assigns preschool teachers to the 75 to 85 dB(A) exposure interval. The outcome hyperacusis was assessed by self-report using one question addressing discomfort or pain from everyday sounds. In the main analysis, a hyperacusis event was defined by the reported year of onset, if reported to occur at least a few times each week. Additional sensitivity analyses were performed using more strict definitions: (a) at least several times each week and (b) every day. The risk (hazard ratio, HR) of hyperacusis was analyzed in relation to years of occupational noise exposure, using survival analysis with frailty regression modeling accounting for individual variation in survival times which reflect, for example, noise exposure during years prior to onset. Occupational noise exposure was defined by the occupation held at year of hyperacusis onset, or the occupation held at the survey year if no event occurred. Models were adjusted for confounders including age, education, income, family history of hearing loss, and change of jobs due to noise.In total, n = 1966 hyperacusis events between 1960 and 2014 were analyzed in the main analysis. A significantly increased risk of hyperacusis was found among women working in any occupation assigned to the 75 to 85 dB(A) noise exposure group [HR: 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4-2.9], compared with the reference group <75 dB(A). The risk was tripled among preschool teachers specifically (HR: 3.4, 95% CI: 3.0-3.7), with the crude Kaplan-Meier curve showing a higher rate of onset early in the working life in preschool teachers compared with all the other exposure groups. The risk was increased, but not statistically significant in the main analysis, for the highest exposure group >85 dB(A), where only six hyperacusis events were identified (HR: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.6-3.1). In the sensitivity analysis, where hyperacusis was defined as occurring every day, the HR was significant also in the highest exposure group (HR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.4-10.3), and generally slightly higher in the other exposure groups compared to the main analysis.This study indicates increased risk of hyperacusis already below the permissible occupational noise exposure limit in Sweden (85 dB LAeq,8h) among female workers in general, and in particular among preschool teachers. Prospective studies and less wide exposure intervals could confirm causal effects and assess dose-response relationships, respectively, although this study at present suggest a need for risk assessment, improved hearing prevention measures, and noise abatement measures in occupations with noise levels from 75 dB(A). The results could also have implications for management of occupational disability claims.
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| 35. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Validating self-reporting of hearing-related symptoms against pure-tone audiometry,otoacoustic emission, and speech audiometry
- 2016
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Audiology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1499-2027 .- 1708-8186. ; 55:8, s. 454-62
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To validate self-reported hearing-related symptoms among personnel exposed to moderately high occupational noise levels at an obstetrics clinic. Design: Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for questionnaire items assessing hearing loss, tinnitus, sound sensitivity, poor hearing, difficulty perceiving speech, and sound-induced auditory fatigue. Hearing disorder was diagnosed by pure-tone audiometry, distortion Product otoacoustic emissions, and HINT (Hearing In Noise Test). Study sample: Fifty-five female obstetrics personnel aged 22–63 participated; including 26 subjects reporting hearing loss, poor hearing, tinnitus, or sound sensitivity, and 29 randomly selected subjects who did not report these symptoms. Results: The questionnaire item assessing sound-induced auditory fatigue had the best combination of sensitivity 85% (95% CIs 56 to 100%)and specificity 70% (95% CIs 55 to 84%) for hearing disorder diagnosed by audiometry or otoacoustic emission. Of those reporting sound-induced auditory fatigue 71% were predicted to have disorder diagnosed by otoacoustic emission. Participants reporting any hearing-related symptom had slightly worse measured hearing. Conclusions: We suggest including sound-induced auditory fatigue in questionnaires for identification of hearing disorder among Healthcare personnel, though larger studies are warranted for precise estimates of diagnostic performance. Also, more specific and accurate hearing tests are needed to diagnose mild hearing disorder.
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| 36. |
- Fredriksson, Sofie, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Working in preschool increases the risk of hearing-related symptoms: a cohort study among Swedish women
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 92:8, s. 1179-90
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2019, The Author(s). Purpose: To assess whether working in preschools increases the risk of hearing-related symptoms and whether age, occupational noise, and stressful working conditions affect the risk. Methods: Questionnaire data on hearing-related symptoms were analysed in women aged 24–65 (4718 preschool teachers, and 4122 randomly selected general population controls). Prevalence and risk ratio (RR) of self-reported hearing loss, tinnitus, difficulty perceiving speech, hyperacusis and sound-induced auditory fatigue were assessed by comparing the cohorts in relation to age and self-reported occupational noise and stressful working conditions (effort–reward imbalance and emotional demands). RR was calculated using log-binomial regression models adjusted for age, education, income, smoking, hearing protection, and leisure noise. Incidence rates and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated for retrospectively reported onset of all symptoms except sound-induced auditory fatigue. Results: Compared to the controls, preschool teachers had overall more than twofold RR of sound-induced auditory fatigue (RR 2.4, 95% confidence interval 2.2–2.5) and hyperacusis (RR 2.3, 2.1–2.5) and almost twofold for difficulty perceiving speech (RR 1.9, 1.7–2.0). Preschool teachers had a threefold IRR of hyperacusis (IRR 3.1, 2.8–3.4) and twofold for difficulty perceiving speech (IRR 2.4, 2.2–2.6). Significantly although slightly less increased RR and IRR were observed for hearing loss and tinnitus. RR and IRR were generally still increased for preschool teachers when stratified by age and occupational exposure to noise and stress. Conclusions: This large cohort study showed that working as preschool teacher increases the risk of self-reported hearing-related symptoms, indicating a need of preventative measures.
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| 37. |
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| 38. |
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| 39. |
- Gyllensten, Kristina, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Nurses’ and preschool teachers’ experiences of taking part in a participatory intervention project in communication-intense working environments
- 2022
-
Ingår i: WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation. - : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 73:3, s. 857-869
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract BACKGROUND: Noise is a common workplace problem that can affect health and performance. High sound levels have been found in sectors that largely has been overlooked in noise research such as health care and education. In these communication-intense environments the work requires speech communication, thus making it difficult to wear hearing protection. OBJECTIVE: To explore nurses’ and preschool teachers’ experiences of taking part in a participatory intervention project aiming to improve the sound environment and the psychosocial work environment. METHODS: One preschool and one obstetrics ward took part in the study, and a qualitative design was used to evaluate the experience of the participatory intervention approach. RESULTS: Five main themes were found in the analysis: Awareness; Taking control of the sound environment; Influence of the building and interior design; Circumstances influencing the intervention process; and Motivation to maintain change. CONCLUSIONS: Despite demanding working situations and lack of financial resources, preschool and obstetrics staff described being creative in planning and implementing several different solutions to improve the sound environment at their workplaces, while interventions specifically improving the psychosocial work environment were fewer. Hence, our study suggest that a participatory intervention approach may facilitate participation and motivation, but resources and support are needed for a comprehensive and effective implementation.
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| 40. |
- Gyllensten, Kristina, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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The experience of noise in communication-intense workplaces : a qualitative study
- 2023
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : PLOS. - 1932-6203. ; 18:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aim of the study was to explore and describe how workers in communication-intenseworkplaces in health care and preschools experience the sound environment. The depen-dence on vocal communication and social interaction poses a challenge using hearing pro-tection in these working environments.Method: A qualitative method was used, more specifically inductive thematic analysis was used, asthis approach was deemed suitable to explore the staff’s experiences of the sound environ-ment. Data were collected by interviews and to increase trustworthiness, several researcherswere involved in the data collection and analysis.Study sample: Workers from two preschools, one obstetrics ward and one intensive care unit took part inthe study.Results: Four main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: A challenging and harmful soundenvironment; Health-related effects of a challenging and harmful sound environment; Agood sound environment is not prioritised; and Resourceful and motivated staff.Conclusions: Workers in communication-intense workplaces in preschools, obstetrics care and intensivecare reported that there was a relationship between the sound environment and negativehealth effects. In addition, the results suggests that the high motivation for change amongstaff should be utilised together with an increased prioritization from the management toreach innovative context specific improvements to the sound environment in communicationintense working environments.
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| 41. |
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| 42. |
- Hsu, Timothy, et al.
(författare)
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Noise Pollution in Hospitals: Impact on Patients
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management (JCOM). - 1079-6533. ; 19:7, s. 301-309
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To review the epidemiology of noise pollution in hospitals and its effects on patients. Methods: Review of the literature. Results: Using academic search engines such as PubMed, JSTOR, and JASA, as well as common internet search engines, 36 papers were selected that focus on noise as it relates to patient sleep disturbances, cardiovascular response, length of hospital stay, pain management, wound healing, and physiological reactions. Results generally show the potential for negative physiological effect when patients are exposed to noise; however, conflicting studies are also reported. This review attempts to define the research chain in the collected articles by determining which acoustic characteristics were examined, what type of acoustic intervention (if any) was used, and what the patient outcomes were. Conclusion: The effects of hospital noise on patients are generally negative but sometimes inconclusive. Information on specific acoustic metrics/methodologies used is often limited, few studies examine the impacts of acoustic interventions, and some patient outcomes were studied in a limited number of articles or via small subject sample sizes, highlighting areas of potential future research.
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| 43. |
- Hui, X, et al.
(författare)
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The outdoor soundscape design of Swedish hospitals
- 2012
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Ingår i: Ninth European Conference on Noise Control (Euronoise) 2012, 10-13 June, Prague, Czech Republic. - 2226-5147. - 9788001050132
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)
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| 44. |
- Hult, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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God ljudmiljö i förskola och skola - krav på rum, bygg- och inredningsprodukter för minskat buller
- 2011
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bakgrund På initiativ av Mölndals stad startade ett forskningsprojekt ”Hur uppnås god ljudmiljö i förskolor och skolor?”. Syftet var att utvärdera de ljudförbättrande åtgärder som genomförts och planerades bli genomförda i särskilt utsatta rum i denna typ av lokaler. De rum som var föremål för åtgärder var enligt Mölndals och denna rapports benämningar matrum (Socialstyrelsens gamla benämning: Allrum 2), bygg-/lekrum (Allrum 1) samt lekhall (Rörelselekrum) i förskola samt klassrum, korridor och matsal i skola. Syftet var också att, med erfarenheterna från Mölndal och utvärderingens resultat föreslå kravspecifikationer för god ljudmiljö i dessa rumstyper. Produktinventering En inventering av ytskikts- och inredningsmaterial med goda ljudegenskaper genomfördes med analys av hur tillverkarna redovisade ljudprestanda för olika typer av produkter. För att få fram en bruttolista av produkter med goda ljudegenskaper och som lämpade sig i förskolor och skolor med avseende även på andra egenskaper gjordes ett urval i två steg med hjälp av en yrkesmässigt allsidigt sammansatt panel. Syfte Urvalsprocessen hade två syften: • dels att få fram en bruttolista av intressanta ytskikts- och inredningsprodukter som Samfast kunde ha för urval av produkter till etapp II i Mölndals åtgärdsprogram för ”ljudsanering”. • dels att få större klarhet i vilka jämförbara ljudprestanda som kan användas som krav i samband med upphandling av bygg- och inredningsprodukter. Interventionsstudie Parallellt påbörjades också en så kallad interventionsstudie, en studie av barns och personals upplevelse av ljudmiljö och hälsa före och efter åtgärder av den fysiska miljön som syftade till att minska buller. Studien genomfördes med ljudmätningar och enkäter till/ intervjuer med personal, barn och föräldrar i förskolan och lärare, elever och lokalvårdare i skolan. Ljudmätningarna, enkäterna och intervjuerna hade också ett metodologiskt syfte; att komma fram till vad som är viktigt och möjligt att mäta och hur det ska mätas för att kunna bedöma om ljudmiljön förbättrades efter åtgärdernas genomförande och på vilket sätt. Upplevelsen av ljudmiljön var klart förbättrad efter de insatser som gjordes i Mölndals förskolor och skolor. Vid de fysikaliska mätningarna av rumsakustik och ljudnivåförändringar kunde också förbättringar konstateras, dock inte i motsvarande grad som den upplevda förbättringen. Detta talar för att det behöver utvecklas nya psykoakustiska mått som bättre förmår mäta den upplevda förändringen av ljudkvaliteten som uppnåddes. Ytterligare ett syfte med ljudmätningarna var att försöka hitta vägar att nyansera hur ljudkrav kan ställas på olika typer av de ovan nämnda särskilt utsatta rummen i förskolor och skolor. Rapportens innehåll På sidorna 10-14 i rapporten återfinns förklaringar av olika ljudbegrepp. I kapitel 1, Inledning, görs en kort omvärldsbeskrivning med resultat från andra projekt om ljudmiljö i förskolor och skolor samt en genomgång av gällande myndighetsregler på området. Flera undersökningar har visat att ljudnivåerna i förskolor inte ligger så långt under gällande gränsvärden. I kapitel 2 redovisas ”materialprojektets” metod. I kapitel 3 presenteras utfallet av kontakter med företagen som svarat på en enkät om sina produkter. Där summeras vilka ljudprestanda de framhåller för de olika produkttyperna tak- och väggabsorbenter, skärmväggar, golv, möbler och inredning. De viktigaste måtten på ljudprestanda presenteras sedan lite mer i detalj. I kapitel 4 beskrivs de åtgärder som genomfördes för att förbättra ljudmiljön. I bilaga 4 finns dessutom en detaljerad beskrivning av ytskiktsmaterial och inredning före respektive efter åtgärder i varje rum som ingick i studien. I kapitel 5 görs en summering av de viktigaste resultaten från de ljudmätningar som genomfördes i tomma rum före och efter åtgärder. I kapitel 6 finns motsvarande sammanfattning av de viktigaste resultaten av ljudmätningar i rum med verksamhet före och efter åtgärder, liksom av resultaten från enkäterna om upplevd ljudmiljö och hälsa. I kapitel 7 presenteras hur förändringarna upplevdes utifrån andra infallsvinklar än ljudmiljön. I kapitel 8 görs en kort summering av interventionsstudiens och materialstudiens resultat som kan ha bäring på hur ljudkrav kan ställas. I kapitel 9, slutligen, sammanfattas det som kommit fram av studien i form av strategier, exempel på krav, referensvärden och lösningar för god ljudmiljö. Avgränsningar Det är viktigt att framhålla att denna studie har fokuserat på förbättring av befintliga lokaler och endast delvis berört planering av nya lokaler för förskolor och skolor. Med undantag för den viktiga parametern efterklangstid har ljudmätningarna inte heller berört sådana parametrar som framför allt är viktiga vid planering av nya förskolor och skolor och som finns väl beskrivna och underbyggda i den svenska ljudstandarden för lokaler (SIS, 2007).
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| 46. |
- Johansson, Lotta, 1965, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of a sound environment intervention in an ICU : A feasibility study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Australian Critical Care. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 1036-7314 .- 1878-1721. ; 31:2, s. 59-70
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Currently, it is well known that the sound environment in intensive care units (ICU) is substandard. Therefore, there is a need of interventions investigating possible improvements. Unfortunately, there are many challenges to consider in the design and performance of clinical intervention studies including sound measurements and clinical outcomes.Objectives: (1) explore whether it is possible to implement a full-scale intervention study in the ICU concerning sound levels and their impact on the development of ICU delirium; (2) discuss methodological challenges and solutions for the forthcoming study; (3) conduct an analysis of the presence of ICU delirium in the study group; and (4) describe the sound pattern in the intervention rooms.Methods: A quasi-randomized clinical trial design was chosen. The intervention consisted of a refurbished two-bed ICU patient room (experimental) with a new suspended wall-to-wall ceiling and a low frequency absorber. An identical two-bed room (control) remained unchanged.Inclusion criteria: Patients >18 years old with ICU lengths of stay (LoS) >48. h. The final study group consisted of 31 patients: six from the rebuilt experimental room and 25 from the control room. Methodological problems and possible solutions were continuously identified and documented.Results: Undertaking a full-scale intervention study with continuous measurements of acoustic data in an ICU is possible. However, this feasibility study demonstrated some aspects to consider before start. The randomization process and the sound measurement procedure must be developed. Furthermore, proper education and training are needed for determining ICU delirium.Conclusion: This study raises a number of points that may be helpful for future complex interventions in an ICU. For a full-scale study to be completed a continuously updated cost calculation is necessary. Furthermore, representatives from the clinic need to be involved in all stages during the project.
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| 47. |
- Johansson, Lotta, 1965, et al.
(författare)
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The sound environment in an ICU patient room--A content analysis of sound levels and patient experiences
- 2012
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Ingår i: Intensive & Critical Care Nursing. - : Elsevier Limited. - 0964-3397 .- 1532-4036. ; 28:5, s. 269-279
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study had two aims: first to describe, using both descriptive statistics and quantitative content analysis, the noise environment in an ICU patient room over one day, a patient's physical status during the same day and early signs of ICU delirium; second, to describe, using qualitative content analysis, patients' recall of the noise environment in the ICU patient room. The final study group comprised 13 patients. General patient health status data, ICU delirium observations and sound-level data were collected for each patient over a 24-hour period. Finally, interviews were conducted following discharge from the ICU. The sound levels in the patient room were higher than desirable and the LAF max levels exceed 55dB 70-90% of the time. Most patients remembered some sounds from their stay in the ICU and whilst many were aware of the sounds they were not disturbing to them. However, some also experienced feelings of fear related to sounds emanating from treatments and investigations of the patient beside them. In this small sample, no statistical connection between early signs of ICU delirium and high sound levels was seen, but more research will be needed to clarify whether or not a correlation does exist between these two factors.
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| 48. |
- Kamp, Irene van, et al.
(författare)
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The Effects of Noise Disturbed Sleep in Children on Cognitive Development and Long Term Health
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Child Adolescent Behavior. - : OMICS Publishing Group. - 2375-4494. ; 3:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Undisturbed sleep is essential for physiological and psychological health. Children have a special need for uninterrupted sleep for growth and cognitive development. Noise is an environmental factor that affects most children, but the knowledge of how children's health, wellbeing and cognitive development are affected by noise disturbed sleep due to road traffic is very incomplete. It has been shown that although children are less likely to wake up or react with sleep cycle shifts due to nighttime exposure, they might be more likely to react with physiological effects such as blood pressure reactions and related motility during sleep. The aim of this paper is to formulate a set of hypotheses as a base for future studies into the short and long term effects of noise induced sleep deprivation on health and child development and how this effects health and wellbeing later on in life. Because the literature is still trying to understand the nature of sleep disturbance among children in general a scoping review was used to achieve this, combining conceptual issues with a description of the scarce literature on noise and sleep disturbance in children as example. Based on this a set of hypotheses was formulated. It is concluded that future studies into the health effect of environmental noise exposure in early life should address these potential hypotheses and mechanisms and pay specific attention to the mediating role of sleep related aspects, including noise in conjunction with other environmental exposures such as indoor climate and exposure to sounds and light from electronic devices.
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| 49. |
- Körning-Ljungberg, Jessica
(författare)
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Psychological responses to noise and vibration
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Vehicle drivers are a group of workers that are exposed to noise and whole-body vibration (WBV) several hours a day. Some drivers may also be exposed to high mental loads – monitoring and manipulating physical controls while engaging problem solving activities often with strong short-term memory and spatial manipulation components. Present standards and regulations that govern health risk assessment do not take into consideration the complexities of these multiple exposure environments. The effect of one factor (for example, noise or WBV) may be different than the effect of two factors presented together. This thesis investigates whether the combination of noise and WBV affects the performance of cognitive tasks more than when the exposures are presented separately. A series of studies were designed to expose subjects to noise and WBV stimuli designed to simulate real life working conditions. Different combinations of subjective ratings, cognitive tests, and cortisol measurements were conducted both during and immediately after exposures, which ranged from 20 to 45 minutes. The studies have shown that a combination of noise and WBV do not degrade cognitive performance more than a single stimulus. However, WBV can degrade attention performance after exposure is turned off when drivers have been working under high mental load during exposure. The combined stimuli are also experienced as more annoying and work is more difficult in such conditions. The exposure times and task difficulty levels used in this thesis did not produce biological stress as measured by cortisol. Nevertheless, subjective ratings are sometimes seen as early indicators of other symptoms and with increased task difficulty and/or longer exposure times there may appear other measurable outcomes of the combined stimuli.
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