Wind Farm Noise Laboratory Study

Source: Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health | Announcements, Australia, Health, Noise, Studies

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This project will use the best available measurements of sleep and physiological activation responses to a range of different noise types to carefully test noise impacts on sleep macro-structure (sleep stage distribution and wake time during the sleep period) and sleep micro-structure (brief arousal and physiological activation responses).

Participants who take part in the (CATI) and consent to being contacted about potential further involvement in this project, may be approached to take part in this phase of the study. Residents who have not been contacted via the CATI but would like to participate, are welcome to express their interest to partake in this experiment and will be considered.

What is the research question?

This study was the first direct investigation of real-world wind farm noise compared to traffic noise effects using gold-standard assessments of sleep (i.e., polysomnography that measures brainwaves and other physiological factors to determine sleep/wake). The aim was to assess self-reported (subjective) and direct objective measures of sleep quality in a carefully controlled laboratory environment to investigate relationships between noise, sleep disturbances and other factors.
What will the participants be expected to do?

Participants were booked to attend the sleep laboratory for seven consecutive nights (plus additional recovery nights if required to recover from the experimental nights), based on their availability and the availability of the laboratory. They resided in a private, self-contained bedroom (like a hotel room, with a king-size single bed, ensuite and shower facilities) and were welcome to use a shared lounge, kitchen and washing facilities.

We also posted a sleep monitoring device (like a FitBit) and sleep diary, that participants will be asked to use for two weeks prior to their laboratory stay.

Upon arrival at the sleep laboratory on the very first evening, participants were familiarised with the facility and the experimental procedures and given an opportunity to settle into your bedroom. After dinner, research personnel including trained sleep and sound technicians, set up participants with sleep-recording devices. Participants then undertook a listening test to examine annoyance and acceptability for sleep toward different noise types, and complete questionnaires.

At their usual bedtime, lights were turned off in participants’ bedrooms for sleep.

Each morning, four saliva samples at 15-minute intervals as a measure of stress-response (cortisol, and a 5th sample in the evening). Participants were then asked to complete a sequence of computerised tasks and questionnaire.

On a single occasion, a small hair sample was collected to measure long-term stress and, on another occasion, participants attended a 60-minute clinical audiology appointment at the Flinders Medical Centre Audiology Clinic.

What benefits will participants receive?

Full accommodation, all meals and snack was provided during the stay.

Participants received $100 per night reimbursement for their time, plus $200 upon successful completion of all 7 overnights. Participants travelling from rural areas received $400 for travel expenses and $100 for urban travel to the laboratory.

Location of the study

Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Nick Antic Laboratory located at 5 Laffer Drive, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042.

Who is eligible to participate?

Anyone aged 18 and over.
In particular, we are seeking interest from those who:
- Live <10 km away from a wind turbine
- Live adjacent to a busy main road
- Live in quiet areas unaffected by environmental noise
Those who can travel to Adelaide and reside in the laboratory for 7 consecutive nights.

Who to contact and by what date?

Please contact Dr. Gorica Micic before December 2020.

Phone: +61 8 8201 2377
Email: WindFarmNoiseStudy@flinders.edu.au

More information:

Download the participant information sheet. Please register your interest using the form on the participant information sheet.

Wind Farm Noise Study at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Flinders University: background information, publications and presentations, survey, in-home study, and laboratory study, community liaison group.