Aircraft Noise

A questionnaire distributed to two groups, one living within the flight pattern of a major airport and the other in a nonflight area, sought to determine whether these groups would respond differently to questions pertaining to noise, health perception, and quality of life issues. Nearly 70% of the residents living within the flight corridors reported themselves bothered by aircraft noise. Aircraft noise, in contrast to other bothersome noises, interfered more frequently with daily activities. Subjects who were bothered by aircraft noise were more likely to complain of sleep difficulties and more likely to perceive themselves to be in poorer health. The study's finding of a possible relationship between noise and adverse health effects might encourage policy makers to enact pending antinoise legislation and to fund further noise research.