Environmental noise is one of the major factors contributing to humans’ stress and discomfort. Previous studies show that heart rate variability (HRV) mirrors the state of discomfort induced by di erent sources of environmental noise. However, there have been relatively few studies of the association between noise exposure and HRV, especially for noise level within the normal living range, and results have been inconsistent [1-2]. Acoustic noise e ects on humans are also mediated by individual characteristics of listeners, for example personality traits or stable and transient state mood due to comfort/discomfort [3]. An open question is whether comfort/discomfort state can in uence the acoustic noise e ects on HRV.
