Article

The Impact of Wind Turbine Noise on Human Health in A Controlled Study (en)

Authors

* Presenting author
Day / Time: 20.03.2024, 15:20-16:00
Room: Glasgang, Posterbereich C
Typ: Poster
Session: Windenergie (Posterbereich C)
Information: Die Poster werden durchgängig von Dienstag bis Donnerstag im Glasgang ausgestellt, sortiert nach thematischen Zusammenhängen in der hier angegebenen Posterinsel (siehe Sitzungstitel). Das Posterforum zur angegebenen Zeit bietet die Möglichkeit, mit den Autor*innen in Diskussion zu kommen.
Abstract: The study examines the influence of Wind Turbine Noise (WTN) on male participants in a controlled acoustic setting. Fourteen male individuals, aged 21 to 40 with an average age of 27, underwent assessments in a recording studio. Measuring 4.2 x 3.6 x 3.1 meters, the room was optimized for sound control using acoustic foams and carpeted flooring to minimize reverberation. The research focused on exposing participants to various types of WTN, recorded from a distance of 250 meters from a wind turbine. These recordings encompassed different G- and A-weighted continuous sound pressure levels (SPLs) and were categorized into distinct frequency ranges: an acoustic band (20 Hz-20 kHz), an infrasound band (5-20 Hz), a combination of both bands, and a control (sham) condition. Each condition featured specific SPLs, enabling a comprehensive evaluation across diverse sound environments. Participants experienced these conditions in separate sessions, with intervals of 7-10 days between each session to mitigate overlapping effects. Careful level calibration ensured precise playback of stimuli, with controlled amplitude modulation. This study sheds light on the auditory and psychological impacts of WTN, enhancing our understanding of noise pollution's effects on human health.