Have you ever tried to focus on an important task only to be distracted by background noise, whether it’s a conversation, the hum of household appliances, or the roar of traffic outside your window? These everyday sounds may seem harmless, but they could interfere with your ability to concentrate. The effects of noise on concentration and cognitive performance are well-documented, and understanding how it influences mental clarity may help in developing strategies to manage it (Jafari et al., 2019). [a]
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The psychological and physiological impact of noise
The effect of noise on brain function and cognitive performance is often underestimated. It can disrupt clear thinking and even affect both mental and physical health. Beyond just the sound itself, exposure to noise may lead to discomfort, reduce cognitive abilities, and disturb sleep (Jafari et al., 2019). [a]
Millions of people experience exposure to disruptive environmental noise from sources like traffic, personal listening devices, and more. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in the European Union, approximately 100 million citizens encounter unhealthy levels of road traffic noise (Jafari et al., 2019 & World Health Organization, 2024). [b] [h]
The connection between noise and focus
Attention plays an important role in daily activities, influencing movement, emotional reactions, and thought processes. When information processing becomes limited, attention directs behavior based on timing and surroundings. Noise may affect performance by interfering with cognitive functions or altering how responses are managed (Jafari et al., 2019). [c]
As a sensory stimulus, noise increases alertness, which can sometimes narrow the focus of attention. However, loud noise may hinder task performance that requires sustained concentration (Jafari et al., 2019). [d]
Noise in our daily life
Noise is a common workplace challenge, raising concerns about its effect on workers’ health, particularly in industrial environments. However, occupational noise is also prevalent in other settings, including call centers, schools, offices, and restaurants. It is essential to recognize that noise exposure not only affects health but may also influence job performance (Monteiro et al., 2018). [e]
Noise and cognitive function
The effects of noise on attention and short-term memory depend on several factors, such as loudness, pitch, and type of sound, as well as the complexity of the task being performed. One key element studied is the sound pressure level, which has been directly linked to task performance. Higher sound levels often reduce accuracy and increase mistakes in both cognitive and manual activities (Monteiro et al., 2018). [f]
More than just a minor inconvenience
Reducing unwanted noise may not always be possible, but recognizing its effects could help in managing distractions. Whether through noise-canceling tools, environmental adjustments, or mindful techniques, small steps could make a difference in maintaining focus. As research continues to explore the link between noise and cognitive performance, finding practical ways to create a more supportive auditory environment could be key to a greater concentration (Jafari et al., 2019). [a] [b] [c] [d]
Sources:
Jafari, M. J., Khosrowabadi, R., Khodakarim, S., & Mohammadian, F. (2019, August 30). The Effect of Noise Exposure on Cognitive Performance and Brain Activity Patterns. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 7(17), 2924–2931. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.742
Monteiro, R., Tomé, D., Neves, P., Silva, D., & Rodrigues, M. A. (2018, September-October). The interactive effect of occupational noise on attention and short-term memory: A pilot study. Noise & Health, 20(96), 190–198. https://doi.org/10.4103/nah.NAH_3_18
World Health Organization. (2024, August 4). How much does environmental noise affect our health? WHO updates methods to assess health risks. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-08-2024-how-much-does-environmental-noise-affect-our-health–who-updates-methods-to-assess-health-risks
References:
a) The influence of noise on human cognitive performance and brain activity has been often neglected. Noise has different negative effects ranging from interference with cognitive processing to damaging mental and physical health. The non-auditory effects of noise exposure include perceived disturbance, annoyance, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disorders and sleep disturbance (Jafari et al., 2019)
b) It is also reported that 100 million people are exposed to dangerous environmental noise due to traffic, personal listening devices and other sources [4]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 1 million healthy life-years (disability-adjusted life-years) are lost annually as a result of environmental noise in high income western European nations (with a population of around 340 million) (Jafari et al., 2019)
c) The active process of cognitive selection is called “attention” [7]. Attention plays a significant role in daily activities such as physical movements, emotional responses and perceptual and cognitive functions. When quantifiable information processing is limited, the attention system directs human behaviour based on geographic and temporal characteristics. Noise can affect performance either by impairing information processing or causing changes in strategic responses. (Jafari et al., 2019)
d) Noise as a sensory stimulus increases arousal which is believed to cause a reduction in the breadth of attention. In other words, loud noise causes alterations in the performance of attentional functions (Jafari et al., 2019)
e) Noise is one of the most common occupational hazards, which has been a matter of concern because of its implications on workers’ health, mostly in industrial settings.[2,3] However, it is important to keep in mind that occupational noise is also relevant in several other working settings, such as call centers, schools,[4,5,6] offices,[7] or even food establishments.[8] In addition, it is important to realize that noise exposure is not only relevant to the workers’ health. It can also have a negative effect on workers’ well-being and performance. (Monteiro et al., 2018)
f) Despite the foregoing, it is important to note that implications of noise on attention and short-term memory is dependent of its characteristics, such as the sound pressure level, the frequency response, and the type of sound, as well as of the type of task being developed. Sound pressure levels are one of the most emphasized factors in literature. Previous studies identified a direct relationship between precision and this sound characteristic, where increased sound pressure levels diminish performance and increase errors in different cognitive and manual tasks (Monteiro et al., 2018)
g) The result obtained by Patricia Tassi et al. indicated that noise exposure reduces attention in subjects which is also consistent with the present study (Jafari et al., 2019)
h) Environmental noise refers to noise from various forms of traffic or industry and to amplified music in the framework of leisure activities. It does not include noise pollution in workplaces. Environmental noise is one of the leading environmental risks for physical and mental health and well-being, contributing significantly to the burden of disease in the WHO European Region. The main sources of environmental noise include transportation (aircraft, trains and motor vehicles), industry, wind turbines and leisure activities. Estimates for the European Union indicate that approximately 1 in 5 people, or 100 million citizens, are exposed to unhealthy levels of road traffic noise. (World Health Organization, 2024)
