Effects of Noise Exposure on Performance of a Simulated Radar Task,
Abstract
The present study examined the effect of noise (radar control room sounds, 80 dBA) on the ability to sustain attention to a complex monitoring task. The visual display was designed to resemble that of a highly automated air traffic control radar system containing computer-generated alphanumeric symbols. Fifty-six men and women were divided into four equal-sized groups. Each group was assigned to one of four combinations of noise or quiet condition and easy or difficult version of the task. In addition to measuring performance (detection latency to specified changes in the alphanumerics), physiological recordings of heart rate and heart rate variability and subjective measures of attentiveness, fatigue, tension, annoyance, and boredom were also obtained. With the exception of heart rate variability, no significant effects of noise were obtained. Heart rate variability was significantly lower under the noise than under the quiet condition. This suggests that, although performance was unchanged, effort expenditure may have been greater under noise. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA081065
Entities
People
- R. Mark Touchstone
- Richard I. Thackray
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration