Acoustic noise and other environmental variables represent potential confounds for animal research. Of relevance to auditory research, sustained high levels of ambient noise may modify hearing sensitivity and decrease well-being among laboratory animals. The present study was conducted to assess environmental conditions in an animal facility that houses nonhuman primates used for auditory research at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Sound levels, vibration, temperature, humidity and luminance were recorded using an environmental monitoring device placed inside of an empty cage in a macaque housing room. Recordings lasted 1 week each, at three different locations within the room. Vibration, temperature, humidity and luminance all varied within recommended levels for nonhuman primates, with one exception of low luminance levels in the bottom cage location. Sound levels at each cage location were characterized by a low baseline of 58–62 dB sound pressure level, with transient peaks up to 109 dB sound pressure level. Sound levels differed significantly across locations, but only by about 1.5 dB. The transient peaks beyond recommended sound levels reflected a very low noise dose, but exceeded startle-inducing levels, which could elicit stress responses. Based on these findings, ambient noise levels in the housing rooms in this primate facility are within acceptable levels and unlikely to contribute to hearing deficits in the nonhuman primates. Our results establish normative values for environmental conditions in a primate facility, can be used to inform best practices for nonhuman primate research and care, and form a baseline for future studies of aging and chronic noise exposure.

噪音和其他环境变量代表了动物研究的潜在混淆。与听觉研究相关的是，持续的高水平环境噪音可能会改变实验动物的听力敏感性并降低健康状况。本研究的目的是评估范德比尔特大学医学中心用于听觉研究的非人类灵长类动物设施的环境条件。使用放置在猕猴饲养室的空笼子内的环境监测设备记录声级、振动、温度、湿度和亮度。每次录音持续 1 周，在房间内的三个不同位置进行。振动、温度、湿度和亮度均在非人类灵长类动物的推荐水平内变化，但笼子底部位置的低亮度水平除外。每个笼子位置的声级特征为 58-62 dB 声压级的低基线，瞬态峰值高达 109 dB 声压级。不同地点的声级差异很大，但仅相差约 1.5 分贝。超出建议声级的瞬态峰值反映了非常低的噪声剂量，但超过了惊吓水平，这可能会引起应激反应。根据这些发现，该灵长类动物设施中的环境噪音水平在可接受的水平内，不太可能导致非人类灵长类动物的听力缺陷。我们的研究结果为灵长类动物设施的环境条件建立了规范值，可用于为非人类灵长类动物研究和护理的最佳实践提供信息，并为未来的衰老和慢性噪声暴露研究奠定基础。