The development of the noise sensitivity questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Psychometrics
• Acoustics

Background:

• Existing noise sensitivity questionnaires lack situational specificity.
• Empirical data suggest a need for domain-specific noise sensitivity measures.
• Global noise sensitivity assessment may not fully capture individual experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the "Noise-Sensitivity-Questionnaire" (NoiSeQ).
• To assess global noise sensitivity and sensitivity across five daily life domains: leisure, work, habitation, communication, and sleep.
• To evaluate the measurement characteristics using Generalizability (G) theory.

Main Methods:

• Generalizability (G) study (N=66) to assess measurement characteristics.
• Decision (D) study (N=288) to determine reliability.
• Validity studies (N=72) involving annoyance ratings to rail and traffic noise scenarios.

Main Results:

• A single application of NoiSeQ is sufficient for determining noise sensitivity, independent of age and gender.
• Global noise sensitivity measurement achieved reliability >0.90 (precision level 1).
• Subscale reliability exceeded 0.70, except for 'leisure', which requires additional items.
• Validity was confirmed for 'habitation' and 'work' subscales, showing significant differences in annoyance between low and high noise-sensitive groups.

Conclusions:

• NoiSeQ is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing global and situational noise sensitivity.
• The questionnaire provides accurate measurements meeting ISO 10075-3 standards.
• Findings support the use of NoiSeQ for understanding noise annoyance in specific life domains, particularly habitation and work.