[Noise effects not only the ears. But can damage to health be objectively evaluated?].

Noise is an unwanted sound and/or a potential health hazard. Apart from noise-induced hearing loss noise causes numerous psychosocial and unspecific vegetative effects. Disturbances of communication are most frequently complained, and sleep disturbances ar regarded as most deleterious. These reactions may then cause performance decrements, annoyance and behavioral alterations. The permanent influence of noise may contribute to the multifactorial genesis of cardiovascular diseases, particularly of hypertension.