title: Electrophysiological approaches to noise sensitivity.
abstract: Noise sensitivity describes an individual's general reactivity to sound. It is a common trait found in many clinical populations and describes approximately 20% of the general population. Little is known about its underlying mechanisms, however.
  
  
  
  Here we present findings from three studies designed to expose differences in electrophysiological measures between noise-sensitive and noise-resistant individuals.
  
  
  
  Noise sensitivity was estimated using self-report measures, while electrophysiological indices included both cardiac (heart rate, heart rate variability) and electroencephalographic (event-related potential) measures. All three studies were designed with reference to preexisting theoretical frameworks.
  
  
  
  Significant differences in heart rate change and heart rate variability indices between noise-sensitive and noise-resistant groups were found. Further, the noise-sensitive group exhibited less sensory gating than the noise-resistant group.
  
  
  
  While the findings from all three studies were not definitive in indicating a likely biological mechanism underlying noise sensitivity, they do suggest that electrophysiological investigation of noise sensitivity is viable and has potential to inform clinical research into a relatively understudied symptom.
authors.affiliation: a School of Public Health , Auckland University of Technology , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.affiliation: b School of Psychology , The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hautus
authors.affiliation: b School of Psychology , The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sin Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: a School of Public Health , Auckland University of Technology , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mulgrew
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise; D055139:Sensory Gating / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Electroencephalography; Event-related potentials; Heart rate variability; Noise sensitivity; Sensory gating