Effects of 8 Hour Exposure to 40 Hz and 80 Hz Low Frequency Sound at Intensities below 100 dB(SPL) on the Rota-Rod Treadmill Performance of Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Taking fieldwork reports into consideration, an experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of low frequency sound exposure on the vestibular and/or motor coordination of guinea pigs. For 8 hour exposure, 40 Hz at 80 dB(SPL) and 80 Hz at 80 dB(SPL) stimuli, caused significant reductions of the endurance time of the poor performing group on the Rota-Rod Treadmill from 240th to 360th minute and to the 240th minute, respectively. When the intensities were stronger, the changes in the endurance times showed similar patterns to that in the control. In addition, the endurance times at the 480th minute recovered almost to the pre-exposure levels in all conditions of exposure tested.