The Influence of Noise Exposure on Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

Environmental noise has been consistently associated with adverse effects on cognitive function in children and adolescents. This study aimed to systematically evaluate research examining the impact of noise exposure on young individuals on cognitive function. This meta-analysis systematically reviewed and synthesized findings on the effects of different types of noise from eight original studies published between 2001 and 2023, examining the impact of noise exposure on cognitive performance across various cognitive domains in young populations. Our results indicate that noise exposure exerts a detrimental effect on cognitive performance in children and adolescents, SMD= –0.544, 95% CI [-0.616 to -0.472], z= -14.85; p < 0.0001. These findings demonstrate the significant influence of noise on cognition function.