Evaluation of Car Interior Noise by Using EEG

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In this study, psychophysiological stress was quantitatively evaluated at various car interior noise levels by using Electroencephalogram(EEG). An experiment was performed to investigate the most comfortable range of noise level during simulated driving condition. Twelve healthy volunteers participated in the experiment. They were asked to operate the driving simulator while six levels of interior noise were given, such as 45dB(A), 50dB(A), 55dB(A), 60dB(A), 70dB(A), 80dB(A), and maximal subjective noise level. EEG signals were recorded for 60 seconds in each noise level. The power spectral analysis was performed to analyze EEG signal. At the same time, psychological stress was also measured subjectively by using a magnitude estimation method. The results showed that subjective stress and EEG spectrum indicated a statistically significant difference between noise levels. In particular, high level noise produced an increase in beta power at temporal(T3, T4) areas. It was also found that beta activity was highly correlated with subjective perception of discomfort, and subjects responded to car interior noise as arousing or negative stimuli. Moreover, beta power remained stable above 70dB(A), whereas subjective discomfort continued to increase even above 70dB(A) We concluded that brain waves could provide psychophysiological information of drivers emotional reaction to car interior noise. Thus, EEG parameters could be a new measure to determine optimal noise level in ergonomic workplace design after further verification in various experimental conditions.