Investigation of noise threats and their impact on hearing in selected schools – a pilot study

Noise measurements conducted in selected schools in Gdańsk area are presented in this paper.
The main aim of this research was to determine noise threats at schools. Some objective
measurements of the acoustic climate were performed employing a noise monitoring station
engineered at the Multimedia System Department, Gdańsk University of Technology. Simultaneously,
subjective noise annoyance examinations were carried out among pupils in chosen
schools. The survey includes a noise analysis in places of residence, music preferences and
preliminary hearing tests results taken after the exposure to noise during breaks. Hearing tests
employing a distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) method, have been performed
twice – before and after the exposure to noise. The noise dose analysis based on average time
spent by a pupil at school is also presented. The obtained results reveal that an unfavorable
noise climate occurred in surveyed schools. This was also confirmed by the results of the
subjective examinations. The conducted hearing tests did not reveal essential changes in the
cochlea activity of examined pupils. This means that the noise during breaks and physical
exercises did not constitute a risk to their hearing system. However, it may be considered as
an essential source of annoyance.