Noise-cancelling headphones ease vomiting after surgery

Researchers found that patients who wore noise-blocking ear defenders during keyhole gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia experienced less nausea and vomiting compared to those without them. The study involved 192 patients, with 35% of those wearing ear defenders experiencing symptoms within 48 hours, compared to 52% of those without them. The results suggest that noise may trigger a stress response that activates the autonomic nervous system, which interacts with brainstem pathways involved in nausea and vomiting.