Acute experimental exposure to noise and hormonal modifications

The purpose of this study was to analyse, in healthy volunteers exposed to noise of high intensity, any changes in certain hormonal parameters that mi ght be related to psychological and behavioural effects. The parameters stu died were cortisol (CORT), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), prolac tin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), insulin (IRI). Some subjective spontaneousl y expressed parameters, such as feeling cold, feeling sleepy, being bothere d by noise and feeling uneasy, feeling nausea, were also taken into conside ration A significant reduction of cortisol compared to the base values was noted both during exposure to noise and at the end of the stimulus. The DHE A-S values increased compared to the base values during administration of t he noise and after exposure had finished. After the end of the noise stimul us, prolactin showed a reduction compared to pre- and post-exposure values. Compared to the basic values, GH diminished both during and after exposure to noise. Insulinaemia showed a significant increase of the value during e xposure to noise, both compared with basal levels and with the values noted after exposure. The data obtained from the investigation carried out showe d an influence on the human organism of acoustic stress that manifests itse lf through a complex multi-endocrine response. This suggests that noise aff ected the endocrine system that might be related to psychological and behav ioural effects.