Noise can have various negative effects in the workplace. It can:
- be annoying and confusing;
- interfere with verbal communication between individuals in the workplace;
- cause accidents by masking warning signals or messages;
- be fatiguing and affect concentration and decision making;
- damage worker’s hearing either temporarily or permanently.
Noise tends to increase errors and variability, rather than directly affect work rate. Intermittent and sudden noise is generally considered to be more disruptive than continuous noise at the same level. In addition, high frequency noise generally has a more adverse influence on performance than lower frequency.