Experimental study on the effects of low pressure and acoustic characteristics on heart rate and acoustic comfort
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: While extensive research exists on acoustic comfort and heart rate under normal atmospheric pressure conditions, studies examining low-pressure environments (e.g., aircraft cabins at 75-85 kPa and high-altitude trains) remain limited. Focusing on the asymptomatic pressure range (80-101 kPa, equivalent to altitudes below 3000 m), this study addresses two fundamental research questions: (1) whether atmospheric pressure and acoustic characteristics significantly affect heart rate, and (2) whether systematic variations in acoustic comfort occur with these environmental factors. Through controlled experiments combining pressure variations (80-101 kPa) with acoustic characteristics (white noise: 65/85 dB; speech/music: 70 dB), we obtained three principal findings: First, neither pressure nor acoustic characteristics (sound pressure level and sound frequency) significantly alter heart rate within this range-a finding that contrasts with known hypoxic effects observed at altitudes above 3650 m. Second, acoustic comfort decreased with reduced pressure exclusively in white noise environments (65-85 dB), while it remained stable for speech and music at 70 dB. Third, we established both an acoustic comfort evaluation function and frequency-band-specific comfort zones, which enable differentiated noise control standards across frequency bands and identify 75 dB as a critical threshold and low-frequency noise as key design parameters. These results yield the first piecewise comfort evaluation function specifically developed for low-pressure transportation environments. The findings provide immediate applications for noise control strategies in both aviation and high-altitude rail systems, offering scientifically grounded standards for environmental design.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Tieming Guo, Songtao Hu, Qingqing Li
Language: English
Topic: Noise Effects and Management
Subfield: Speech and Hearing
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
Award: G4156790360
OpenAlex ID: W4413094194