Influence of sonic noise on human stereoscopic depth perception. 1979

E R Hermann, and C S Hesse, and E R Hoyle, and A C Leopold, and J J Standard

Scientific establishment of the no-effect response to finite levels of exposure to a physical or chemical agent is indeed a rigorous exercise and is frequently controversial. In earlier research by Slutsky under direction of the senior author, a statistically significant increase in stereoscopic depth perception error was noted among 24 test subjects exposed to high intensity noise. Additional extensive research reported in this paper indicates that error in stereoscopic depth perception is not significantly altered by exposure to continuous white noise of short duration at levels ranging from 70 to 115 dBA. Furthernore, exposure of humans for periods of a few minutes to white noise in octave bands centered on 250 Hz, 1000 Hz, 4 kHz and 16 kHz at 115 dB does not affect their depth perception measured by the Howard-Dolman test. A comprehensive analysis of depth perception errors measured under noise exposure conditions (n = 4040) in comparison with those obtained under control conditions (n = 1430) produced a mean change in error of -0.38 mm, a statistically insignificant difference (p = 0.17). Even if such an error were attributable to high level noise, it should be noted that minus sign designates an improvement of depth perception in noise and that it is difficult to imagine visual tasks in which change in error of +/-0.38 mm at a distance of 6.0 meters is meaningful.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009622 Noise Any sound which is unwanted or interferes with HEARING other sounds. Noise Pollution,Noises,Pollution, Noise
D003867 Depth Perception Perception of three-dimensionality. Stereopsis,Stereoscopic Vision,Depth Perceptions,Perception, Depth,Perceptions, Depth,Stereopses,Stereoscopic Visions,Vision, Stereoscopic,Visions, Stereoscopic
D004781 Environmental Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals. Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D006320 Hearing Tests Part of an ear examination that measures the ability of sound to reach the brain. Hearing in Noise Test,Quick Speech-in Noise Test (QuickSIN),Real Ear Measurement,Speech in Noise Hearing Test,Ear Measurement, Real,Ear Measurements, Real,Hearing Test,Measurement, Real Ear,Measurements, Real Ear,Quick Speech in Noise Test (QuickSIN),Real Ear Measurements,Test, Hearing,Tests, Hearing
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014792 Visual Acuity Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast. Acuities, Visual,Acuity, Visual,Visual Acuities

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