Effects of noise frequency on performance and annoyance for women and men.

Effects of noise frequencies on both performance on a complex psychomotor task and annoyance were investigated for men (n = 30) and women (n = 30). Each subject performed a complex psychomotor task for 50 min. in the presence of low frequency noise, high frequency noise, or ambient noise. Women and men learned the task at different rates. Little effect of noise was shown. Annoyance ratings were subsequently obtained from each subject for noise of various frequencies by the method of magnitude estimation. High frequency noises were more annoying than low frequency noises regardless of sex and immediate prior exposure to noise. Sex differences in annoyance did not occur. Not direct relationship between learning to perform a complex task while exposed to noise and annoyance by that noise was demonstrated.