Effects of noise on people depend on sound level but also on other sound properties. A systematic comparison of the stress effects of speech and noise with the same frequency content is missing. This study compared stress reactions under sound conditions speech (sound level 65 dB L_Aeq), noise (65 dB), and silence (35 dB), all having similar relative frequency contents. Fifty‐nine participants were exposed to one out of three sound conditions on average for 48 minutes while performing tasks requiring concentration. Acute physiological stress was estimated by measuring stress hormone concentrations in plasma (cortisol and noradrenaline), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure. Psychological stress measures were subjective noise annoyance, workload, and fatigue. Compared to silence and noise, working during speech was more annoying, loading, but less tiring, and led to elevated HRV LF/HF ratio with time. Speech also raised cortisol levels compared with silence. Although noise was more annoying, and raised cortisol levels compared with silence, working during speech was more loading and caused more physiological stress than other sound conditions. Special care should be paid to noise control in workplaces requiring concentration because already exposure to moderate sound level sounds caused clear physiological effects on people.

中文翻译：

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言语是特殊的：在需要集中注意力的任务中言语、噪音和沉默的压力效应。

噪音对人的影响取决于声级，但也取决于其他声音特性。缺少对具有相同频率内容的语音和噪声的压力影响的系统比较。本研究比较了语音条件下的压力反应（声级 65 dB L _Aeq)、噪声 (65 dB) 和静音 (35 dB)，所有这些都具有相似的相对频率内容。59 名参与者在执行需要集中注意力的任务时，平均暴露于三分之一的声音条件下 48 分钟。通过测量血浆中的应激激素浓度（皮质醇和去甲肾上腺素）、心率变异性 (HRV) 和血压来估计急性生理应激。心理压力测量是主观噪音烦恼、工作量和疲劳。与静音和噪音相比，在讲话期间工作更烦人、更累，但不那么累，并且随着时间的推移导致 HRV LF/HF 比升高。与沉默相比，说话也提高了皮质醇水平。虽然噪音更令人讨厌，而且与沉默相比会提高皮质醇水平，与其他声音条件相比，在讲话期间工作会带来更多的负担并造成更多的生理压力。应特别注意需要集中注意力的工作场所的噪声控制，因为已经暴露于中等声级的声音会对人产生明显的生理影响。