Case report: Is Low-Frequency Noise from Refrigerators in a Multi-Family House a Cause of Diffuse Disorders?

INTRODUCTION There is strong scientific support for the opinion that low-frequency noise may be a cause of disturbances and disorders. For many years individual sensitivity to low-frequency noise has been described in the literature. Dawson (I) described the low-frequency sensitivity syndrome including: feelings of irritation/unease/stress/undue fatigue. headache. nausea. vomiting. heart palpitations. disorientation. swooning/prostration. Also. sleep disturbance. feelings of vibration in the body have been reported (2). However, these disorders are not specific which, in a clinical situation. makes it difficult to establish a correct diagnosis and a relation to the noise exposure. This is demonstrated in the following case.