Effects

The most common effect of noise is annoyance. This feeling results not only from interference with communication and sleep disturbance, but also from poorly defined feelings of being disturbed and affected during various activities, as well as during periods of rest.

Sleep disturbance
Sleep disturbance is probably the most apparent effect of environmental noise and generally reduces the quality of sleep. To ensure undisturbed sleep, a single noise event (such as a passing airplane or car) should not exceed 55 decibels.

Interference with communication
The degree of interference of noise with speech or music depends on the noise level in relation to the level that conveys the desired information. An increasing noise level requires speakers to raise their voices and/or get closer to the listener in order to be understood.

Noise levels from about 35 dB interfere with speech communication. Normal speech communication becomes impossible at about 70 dB.

Psychophysiological effects
The most common effects on humans are physiological stress and, at higher noise levels, cardiovascular reactions. Negative influences on mental health, performance and productivity have also been observed and documented by researchers.

It can be concluded that exposure to environmental noise causes stress because it leads to measurable changes in blood pressure and heart rate.

The effects of noise on wildlife have not yet been fully explored.

Economic costs
Environmental noise has economic implications. The presence of high levels of environmental noise can lower rents and property values in residential areas. Noise-induced illnesses, losses of productivity and higher rates of accidents caused by sleep disturbance have obvious costs but are difficult to quantify.