Community response to noise: Is all noise the same?

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Abstract
Three questions were addressed. First, is the variation in results simply due to random sources or measurement error, such that use of an average dose-response curve is appropriate, or is there some identifiable systematic variation? Second, what characteristics of the noise or community might lead to systematic variation, if there is any? Third, under what conditions is it reasonable to use an average function, even if there are systematic variations? Both of the first 2 questions receive only tentative answers on the basis of available studies. Although the evidence shows different functions for different sources (e.g., rail and road noise), for different types of 1 source (e.g., air carrier airports and general aviation airports), and even for different studies at the same location (e.g., Heathrow), the evidence is not sufficiently strong to totally reject the idea that all of this is just random variation about an average response. There is no clear identification of what acoustical or community factors explain the differences in response, so it is sensible simply to use the type of source (i.e., road, rail or air traffic noise) to categorize the differences. The answer to the 3rd question, is that an average dose-response curve is useful in the face of limited information; i.e., is when we cannot specify precisely the conditions calling for different functions.

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