Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between road traffic noise exposure, annoyance caused by different noise sources and validated health indicators in a cohort of 1375 adults from the region of Basel, Switzerland. Road traffic noise exposure for each study participant was determined using modelling, and annoyance from various noise sources was inquired by means of a four-point Likert scale. Regression parameters from multivariable regression models for the von Zerssen score of somatic symptoms (point symptom score increase per annoyance category) showed strongest associations with annoyance from industry noise (2.36, 95% CI: 1.54, 3.17), neighbour noise (1.62, 95% CI: 1.17, 2.06) and road traffic noise (1.53, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.96). Increase in modelled noise exposure by 10 dB(A) resulted in a von Zerssen symptom score increase of 0.47 (95% CI: −0.01, 0.95) units. Subsequent structural equation modelling revealed that the association between physical noise exposure and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is strongly mediated by annoyance and sleep disturbance. This study elucidates the complex interplay of different factors for the association between physical noise exposure and HRQOL.
Highlights
Annoyance is one of the numerous health effects related to noise exposure and affects a large share of the population worldwide
The present study investigated the association between road traffic noise exposure and annoyance, and health indicators
Whereas a previous analysis focussed on noise induced sleep effects [12], the present paper addresses the interplay between noise, annoyance to noise, sleep disturbance and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and explores potential modifying factors such as socio-demographic factors, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity and noise exposure level
Summary
Annoyance is one of the numerous health effects related to noise exposure and affects a large share of the population worldwide. Numerous studies found a positive exposure-response relationship for annoyance with increasing noise exposure from various sources [3,4,5]. In 2011, the WHO estimated that the share of the European population highly annoyed by road traffic noise at levels >55 dB(A) was 25% [6]. The evidence linking noise exposure and indicators of annoyance-mediated degradation of quality of life has accumulated. Studies have shown marked associations between noise exposure and annoyance with disturbance [2,7,8], reduced wellbeing [2,7] and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL) [2,8,9]
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