Noise is a major environmental health issue in Europe, ranked just after pollution as a key factor. According to the Noise and Health report, roughly 20 percent of the European Union population faces unhealthy levels of traffic noise, translating to about 113 million people exposed to 55 decibels or more for extended periods. The findings come from the Health and Environment Observatory.
The report, a collaborative effort by DKV, GAES, and ECODES, examines how noise affects human health. Direct auditory effects include hearing loss and tinnitus, while indirect effects touch sleep disruption, heart disease, mental health concerns such as stress, depression, anxiety, and even dementia. There can also be developmental impacts in children, with potential effects on learning and cognitive performance.
Marta Pahissa, DKV’s environmental transformation manager, notes that noise, alongside air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, forms an interconnected set of health and planetary challenges.
The document also highlights how noise indirectly impacts health. Transportation noise can reduce physical activity if people avoid walking in noisy places or wake frequently throughout the night.
Spain is among the noisiest countries worldwide
In 2022, the World Health Organization identified Spain as the second noisiest country globally, following Japan. The Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) reports that about 28 percent of Spaniards are exposed to noise levels exceeding the WHO’s recommended 65 decibels. Marta Pahissa reiterates that noise is not a minor nuisance but ranks among the four environmental factors with the greatest impact on health and well being.
Francesc Carreño, head of GAES’s Social Field and Audiology Survey, emphasizes that noise can cause injuries that are hard to correct. He warns that noise is a major obstacle to preventing hearing loss.
Carolyn Daher, a postdoctoral researcher with ISGlobal’s Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative, explains that noise triggers hormonal responses and a constant alert state, which can lead to inflammation and even respiratory problems. She argues that addressing this issue requires broad, multi-sector action over time.
Urban vegetation as a tool to cut noise
One recommended strategy is to embrace urban vegetation, including green walls and vertical gardens, to absorb sound.
Francesca Olivieri, a professor at the Higher Technical School of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and a specialist in nature-based solutions, says vertical gardens act as acoustic absorbers and improve the spatial acoustics of a city space.
Studies show that green walls perform better at mid and high frequencies, which align with human speech frequencies starting around 400 Hertz.
Olivieri explains that these walls rely on a substrate system with pre-planted modules that attach behind the structure. This setup improves efficiency by absorbing a large portion of energy above 1000 Hertz, a common urban frequency range. She stresses the importance of thoughtful design to condition public space and enable healthier, quieter environments.
The overarching message is clear: design matters. When nature is properly integrated into cities, it can help people live in spaces with better acoustic quality.
Different effects mean different susceptibilities
The Noise and Health report also shows that not everyone experiences noise the same way. Factors like age, gender, lifestyle, and pre-existing health conditions influence how people are affected by environmental noise.
The GAES Hearing Health survey of Spanish youth reveals gaps in awareness and care: seven out of ten young people say they do not visit a doctor even when they suspect a hearing issue. About 60 percent report not worrying about hearing health and viewing it as an issue for older adults. Additionally, 82 percent report no limits on helmet volume, and 43 percent are unaware of WHO recommendations in this area.
A One Health approach and traffic management
The document and experts identify road traffic as the main source of urban noise in Europe. Noise levels are projected to rise as cities grow and mobility demand increases. The current price of noise exposure at 62 decibels in road traffic is about 342 euros per person.
Addressing noise at the traffic level could reduce not only acoustic pollution but also air pollution, contributing to broader public health gains and antimicrobial resistance challenges. Maite Martín, professor and president of the One Health Platform, notes this broader benefit.
The expert also highlights the need for a deliberate One Health treatment approach to noise. Noise can affect animal behavior, such as dogs showing increased aggression, which can endanger people, and it can mask birdsong, hindering reproduction and threatening species.
The conclusion remains: health hinges on sound public health that responds to today’s world and its demands.
……….
Environmental department contact cannot be provided here.