Does low frequency noise affect human mental performance?

To study the influence of low frequency noise (LFN) on
mental performance and subjective well-being, 192 male subjects, categorised in
terms of sensitivity to noise in general, and to LFN in particular, worked with
four standardised psychological tests. Three different acoustic conditions were
used in the experiment: the background laboratory noise, LFN, and the broadband
noise without dominant low frequency content (reference noise) at a level of 50
dB(A). The influence of exposure and/or noise sensitivity on the tests' results
or their interaction were found in three of the four performed tests. Poorer
results in the LFN (compared to other noise conditions) were observed in person
classified as high-sensitive to noise in general and low-sensitive to LFN in the
Signal Detection Test (more erroneous responses). The annoyance of LFN and
reference noise was rated higher than that of the background noise. Subjects
high-sensitive to noise in general reported the highest annoyance due to LFN. In
conclusion, LFN at moderate level could be perceived as annoying and adversely
affecting attention and visual perception, particularly in subjects
high-sensitive to noise.