The Effects of Noise on Children’s Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review

Flavia Gheller; Gaia Spicciarelli; Pietro Scimemi; Barbara Arfé

doi:10.1177/00139165241245823

journal article Open Access Dec 01, 2023

The Effects of Noise on Children’s Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review

Flavia Gheller

Gaia Spicciarelli Pietro Scimemi Barbara Arfé

Environment and Behavior Vol. 55 No. 8-10 pp. 698-734 · SAGE Publications

View at Publisher Save 10.1177/00139165241245823

Abstract

Noise exposure may interfere with concentration, learning, and executive functions. In children, in particular, the non-auditory consequences of acoustically inadequate conditions are a serious concern. This systematic review examined the evidence from 26 studies investigating the effects of noise on primary school children’s cognitive and academic performance. The reviewed studies show that speech noise significantly impairs children’s verbal working memory. Meanwhile, non-speech environmental noise appears to notably affect academic performance, particularly in reading. Other types of non-speech noise may, instead, even improve the cognitive performance of children, although only for children with low attentional skills. However, only a few studies have compared the impacts of speech and non-speech noise or explored noise effects across various cognitive tasks. And finally, there’s a shortage of both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies assessing developmental effects. Overall, this scarcity limits the ability to draw robust conclusions about noise effects on children’s cognitive and academic abilities.

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Details

Published: Dec 01, 2023
Vol/Issue: 55(8-10)
Pages: 698-734
License: View

Authors

F

Flavia Gheller

Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Italy; I-APPROVE Centre, University of Padova, Italy

G

Gaia Spicciarelli

Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Italy

P

Pietro Scimemi

Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Italy; I-APPROVE Centre, University of Padova, Italy

B

Barbara Arfé

Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Italy; I-APPROVE Centre, University of Padova, Italy

Cite This Article

Flavia Gheller, Gaia Spicciarelli, Pietro Scimemi, et al. (2023). The Effects of Noise on Children’s Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review. Environment and Behavior, 55(8-10), 698-734. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165241245823

The Effects of Noise on Children’s Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review

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