Abstract
Background: Traffic
noise is one of the main important sources in urban noise pollution, which
causes various physiological and psychological effects that can cause disturbs
in performance, sleep disturbances, hearing loss and impact on job
performance. This study was conducted to verify the impact of road traffic
noise on reaction time in terms of extraversion and sex.
Methods: Traffic noise was measured and recorded in 10 arterial
streets in Tehran, and then the recorded noise was emitted towards participants in
an acoustic room. The participants were 80 (40 cases and 40 controls) students.
Personality type was determined by Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) questioner.
Reaction time before and after exposure to traffic noise was measured.
Results: Reaction time before exposure to traffic noise did not
differ (P=0.437) significantly between introverts and extraverts.
However, it was increased significantly in both groups after exposure to traffic
noise (P<0.01). Introvert’s reaction time
was more increased than that of extraverts.
Conclusion: Traffic noise augmented reaction time of both
males and females. This study also revealed that exposure to traffic noise
leads to increase in reaction time.