Cognitive functions of individuals with reported low-frequency noise perceptions

Cognitive difficulties are frequently mentioned by individuals reporting to perceive Low-Frequency Noise (LFN), i.e., noise around and below the average human hearing threshold between the frequencies of 20 Hz and 125/100 Hz. Yet, previous research on the effect of LFN on cognition has shown mixed results and does not provide clear evidence for impaired cognitive performance in relation to LFN. In this cross-sectional study, cognitive functions of individuals reporting LFN perceptions (LFN = 68) and individuals reporting no LFN perceptions (CG = 67) were compared using an extensive test battery measuring several aspects of (complex) attention, memory, and executive functions. In addition, cognitive performances were compared between individuals reporting LFN perceptions during testing (<i>n</i> = 35) and reporting no LFN perceptions during testing (<i>n</i> = 32). The LFN group showed significantly worse performance on the aggregated domain scores of attention and complex attention but not on memory or executive functions. However, these group differences were of small size. Further, no group differences were observed on the cognitive domain scores between individuals reporting LFN perceptions during testing and those reporting no LFN perceptions during testing. Concluding, cognitive difficulties do not seem to be overall strong or profound in individuals with reported LFN perceptions. Future research on factors distinguishing individuals with and without cognitive deficits, such as fatigue or sleep, are recommended.