Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music

<b>Purpose</b>: This study examines the potential associations between salivary cortisol concentrations and subjective stress test scores in healthy individuals subjected to sound-related, psychological, and physical stressors. <b>Methods</b>: This study employed a single-cen...

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Main Authors: Robert Tomljenović, Andro Košec, Livije Kalogjera, Ivana Ćelap, Domagoj Marijančević, Davor Vagić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Audiology Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4349/14/6/90
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author Robert Tomljenović
Andro Košec
Livije Kalogjera
Ivana Ćelap
Domagoj Marijančević
Davor Vagić
author_facet Robert Tomljenović
Andro Košec
Livije Kalogjera
Ivana Ćelap
Domagoj Marijančević
Davor Vagić
author_sort Robert Tomljenović
collection DOAJ
description <b>Purpose</b>: This study examines the potential associations between salivary cortisol concentrations and subjective stress test scores in healthy individuals subjected to sound-related, psychological, and physical stressors. <b>Methods</b>: This study employed a single-center observational cross-sectional design, with a sample size of 36 subjects recruited from a tertiary referral audiology center. Between 2023 and 2024, the study recruited subjects with normal hearing, baseline salivary cortisol levels, and subjective stress levels. The participants were requested to complete an STAI-Y1 questionnaire and provide salivary cortisol samples before and following exposure to sound-related, psychological, and physical stress tests. <b>Results</b>: Exposure to psychological and physical stressors significantly increased STAI-Y1 scores (Friedman’s test, χ<sup>2</sup> = 57.118, df = 2, <i>p</i> = 0.377). This increase was greater than that observed in response to loud, favorite music (Friedman’s test, χ<sup>2</sup> = 57.118, df = 2, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). The salivary cortisol concentration significantly increased in all three provocation tests (Friedman’s test, χ<sup>2</sup> = 95.264, df = 5, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Furthermore, there is no significant difference in salivary cortisol concentrations between the three pre-test and post-test measurement intervals, indicating a comparable stress-inducing pattern regardless of the nature of the stimulus (Friedman’s test, χ<sup>2</sup> = 95.264, df = 5, <i>p</i> > 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Exposure to loud favorite music increases salivary cortisol concentrations, as does acute physical and psychological stress. Interestingly, unlike psychological and physical stress, loud music was not objectively perceived as stress, which may mask the physiological signs of stress, potentially increasing the risk of both acute and chronic stress-related health outcomes.
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series Audiology Research
spelling doaj-art-b3b21ff9c15047c4b06d8182d03a481a2025-08-20T02:55:35ZengMDPI AGAudiology Research2039-43492024-12-011461093110410.3390/audiolres14060090Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud MusicRobert Tomljenović0Andro Košec1Livije Kalogjera2Ivana Ćelap3Domagoj Marijančević4Davor Vagić5Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Vinogradska Cesta 29, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Vinogradska Cesta 29, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Vinogradska Cesta 29, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Vinogradska Cesta 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia<b>Purpose</b>: This study examines the potential associations between salivary cortisol concentrations and subjective stress test scores in healthy individuals subjected to sound-related, psychological, and physical stressors. <b>Methods</b>: This study employed a single-center observational cross-sectional design, with a sample size of 36 subjects recruited from a tertiary referral audiology center. Between 2023 and 2024, the study recruited subjects with normal hearing, baseline salivary cortisol levels, and subjective stress levels. The participants were requested to complete an STAI-Y1 questionnaire and provide salivary cortisol samples before and following exposure to sound-related, psychological, and physical stress tests. <b>Results</b>: Exposure to psychological and physical stressors significantly increased STAI-Y1 scores (Friedman’s test, χ<sup>2</sup> = 57.118, df = 2, <i>p</i> = 0.377). This increase was greater than that observed in response to loud, favorite music (Friedman’s test, χ<sup>2</sup> = 57.118, df = 2, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). The salivary cortisol concentration significantly increased in all three provocation tests (Friedman’s test, χ<sup>2</sup> = 95.264, df = 5, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Furthermore, there is no significant difference in salivary cortisol concentrations between the three pre-test and post-test measurement intervals, indicating a comparable stress-inducing pattern regardless of the nature of the stimulus (Friedman’s test, χ<sup>2</sup> = 95.264, df = 5, <i>p</i> > 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Exposure to loud favorite music increases salivary cortisol concentrations, as does acute physical and psychological stress. Interestingly, unlike psychological and physical stress, loud music was not objectively perceived as stress, which may mask the physiological signs of stress, potentially increasing the risk of both acute and chronic stress-related health outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4349/14/6/90physical stresspsychological stressstress responsesalivary cortisolloud musicnoise
spellingShingle Robert Tomljenović
Andro Košec
Livije Kalogjera
Ivana Ćelap
Domagoj Marijančević
Davor Vagić
Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music
Audiology Research
physical stress
psychological stress
stress response
salivary cortisol
loud music
noise
title Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music
title_full Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music
title_fullStr Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music
title_full_unstemmed Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music
title_short Salivary Cortisol Concentration Is an Objective Measure of the Physiological Response to Loud Music
title_sort salivary cortisol concentration is an objective measure of the physiological response to loud music
topic physical stress
psychological stress
stress response
salivary cortisol
loud music
noise
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4349/14/6/90
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