Illustration of noise impacting cognitive function.

Is Your Workplace Too Loud? How Noise Impacts Your Brain

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the hidden costs of industrial noise exposure on attention, reaction time, and memory, urging employers and employees to take proactive measures for cognitive health."

In many workplaces, noise is more than just an annoyance—it's a real hazard that can impact your cognitive function. Noise, a common physical hazard in many workplaces, may affect different aspects of human cognitive function. A recent study explored how industrial noise affects specific cognitive skills in workers, revealing some surprising and concerning results.

The study focused on individuals working in a metal industry, comparing those exposed to high noise levels (above 85 dBA) with a control group experiencing lower noise levels (below 80 dBA). Researchers measured selective attention, divided attention, reaction time, and memory before and after work shifts to assess the impact of noise exposure.

The results paint a clear picture: exposure to high noise levels can significantly impair cognitive performance. So, how does noise affect your brain, and what can you do about it? Let’s dive into the key findings and practical implications of this research.

The Cognitive Costs of Constant Clatter

Illustration of noise impacting cognitive function.

The study revealed that workers exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA experienced significant changes in their cognitive functions after their work shift. All measured cognitive functions were significantly changed after work shift in the noise group and the difference was statistically significant between noise and control group. Here's a breakdown of what that means:

The researchers assessed several key aspects of cognitive function:

Selective Attention: The ability to focus on specific information while filtering out distractions.
Divided Attention: The capacity to handle multiple tasks or stimuli simultaneously.
Reaction Time: The speed at which someone responds to a stimulus, measured in both selective and divided attention scenarios.
Memory: The ability to recall information presented during the test.

The individuals in the noise group were classified as well according to noise intensity into: high exposure (90 dBA and higher) and low exposure (between 85 and 90 dBA). Exposure to higher noise intensity caused more change in cognitive function.

Protecting Your Brain at Work: What You Can Do

This study underscores the importance of noise reduction in the workplace. Exposure to noise higher than 85 dBA affects some aspects of cognitive function (reaction time, attention and memory). Here are some steps both employers and employees can take:

For Employers: <ul> <li>Conduct Noise Assessments: Regularly measure noise levels in different areas of the workplace.</li> <li>Implement Noise Control Measures: Use engineering controls like soundproofing, barriers, and equipment modifications to reduce noise at the source.</li> <li>Provide Hearing Protection: Offer and require the use of earplugs or earmuffs in high-noise areas.</li> <li>Educate Employees: Train workers on the risks of noise exposure and the proper use of hearing protection.</li> </ul> For Employees: <ul> <li>Wear Hearing Protection: Always use earplugs or earmuffs in noisy environments.</li> <li>Take Breaks: Step away from noisy areas during breaks to give your ears and brain a rest.</li> <li>Report Concerns: If you notice excessive noise levels or experience hearing problems, report it to your employer.</li> </ul>

By taking proactive steps to reduce noise exposure, we can protect our cognitive health and improve overall well-being in the workplace. Remember, a quieter workplace is a smarter workplace.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s00420-018-1361-0, Alternate LINK

Title: The Effect Of Industrial Noise Exposure On Attention, Reaction Time, And Memory

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Alireza Zeydabadi, Jafar Askari, Mahmood Vakili, Seyyed Jalil Mirmohammadi, Mohammad Ali Ghovveh, Amir Houshang Mehrparvar

Published: 2018-09-26

Everything You Need To Know

How does exposure to industrial noise affect specific cognitive skills like attention and memory?

Exposure to industrial noise, particularly above 85 dBA, can impair cognitive functions such as selective attention, divided attention, reaction time, and memory. Individuals working in noisy environments may find it more difficult to concentrate on specific tasks, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, respond quickly to stimuli, and recall information effectively. The metal industry study showed significant changes in these cognitive functions after work shifts for those exposed to high noise levels.

What are the specific cognitive functions that are most affected by high noise levels in the workplace?

The cognitive functions most notably affected by high noise levels are selective attention, which is the ability to focus on specific information while filtering out distractions, divided attention, which is the capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, reaction time, referring to the speed at which someone responds to a stimulus, and memory, specifically the ability to recall information presented during a test. The research indicates that higher noise intensity leads to more pronounced changes in these cognitive functions.

At what noise level does noise start to negatively impact cognitive functions in an industrial setting?

Noise levels exceeding 85 dBA have been shown to negatively impact cognitive functions such as reaction time, attention, and memory. The study compared workers exposed to noise above 85 dBA with a control group exposed to noise below 80 dBA, revealing significant differences in cognitive performance after work shifts.

What practical steps can employers and employees take to protect cognitive health in noisy workplaces?

To protect cognitive health in noisy workplaces, noise reduction strategies are crucial. Employers can implement engineering controls to reduce noise at the source, provide personal protective equipment like earplugs or earmuffs, and ensure regular breaks in quieter areas. Employees should consistently use provided protective equipment, report excessive noise levels, and advocate for workplace improvements that minimize noise exposure. Regular monitoring of noise levels and health surveillance can also help.

Does the intensity of noise exposure correlate with the degree of cognitive impairment, and what are the implications?

Yes, the intensity of noise exposure is directly correlated with the degree of cognitive impairment. Individuals exposed to higher noise intensities (90 dBA and higher) experienced more significant changes in cognitive function compared to those with lower exposure (between 85 and 90 dBA). This highlights the importance of minimizing noise exposure as much as possible to safeguard cognitive abilities. The implications of this correlation suggest that even small reductions in noise levels can lead to noticeable improvements in cognitive performance, emphasizing the need for proactive noise control measures in industrial environments.