[Effect of noise in submarine compartment on signal discrimination and arithmetic performance]

To study the effects of noise level in submarine compartment on signal discrimination and arithmetic performance, experiments were carried out on 13 subjects. The results showed that as noise level raised from moderate (73 dBA) to higher levels (85-92 dBA), work efficiency showed a progressive decrease, but when noise level reached 96 dBA the decrease in efficiency reached a steady state. The results indicated that impairment of efficiency apparently occurred at a level of 85 dBA and that the interference effect of noise was more pronounced on task performance with mental strain.