EEG Reaction and Cognitive Performance of Office Workers at Listening Annoying Sounds

Noise pollution in the contemporary workplace is a significant stressor, impacting employee performance and cognitive functions. Alyan et al, (2021) highlighted its effects on physical health, memory, alertness, and job satisfaction. The World Health Organization recommends noise levels under 65dB for auditory well-being. However, the environmental noise levels in office workspaces usually are at the limit or more than that, reaching noise levels of 90dB. This study investigates the effect of environmental noise as phone calls and casual conversations on 15 volunteers aged 20-40 while performing a language-related activity. Participants realized the activity while wearing the Unicorn Hybrid Black headset in two conditions: in a secluded environment without noise and under the influence of pre-recorded sounds simulating an office environment (cellphone notifications, phone calls and conversations). Neural activity was registered with the headset and the results were analyzed. It was discovered that the notification sound was the principal sound that affected the performance of the volunteer during the activity, but this depends on individual personality traits and habits.