A Review of the Possible Perceptual and Physiological Effects of Wind Turbine Noise. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carlile, Simon; Davy, John L.; Hillman, David; Burgemeister, Kym
• Is Part Of: Trends in hearing. Volume 22(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: auditory transduction -- infrasound -- low-frequency sound -- wind turbine noise; Hearing aids -- Periodicals; Cochlear implants -- Periodicals; Hearing impaired -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.89
• DOI: 10.1177/2331216518789551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2331-2165

Abstract

This review considers the nature of the sound generated by wind turbines focusing on the low-frequency sound (LF) and infrasound (IS) to understand the usefulness of the sound measures where people work and sleep. A second focus concerns the evidence for mechanisms of physiological transduction of LF/IS or the evidence for somatic effects of LF/IS. While the current evidence does not conclusively demonstrate transduction, it does present a strong prima facia case. There are substantial outstanding questions relating to the measurement and propagation of LF and IS and its encoding by the central nervous system relevant to possible perceptual and physiological effects. A range of possible research areas are identified.