<P> There are an attributed 10 000 annual deaths as a result of noise in the European Economic Area . </P> <P> Noise - induced hearing loss is a permanent shift in pure - tone thresholds, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss . The severity of a threshold shift is dependent on duration and severity of noise exposure . Noise - induced threshold shifts are seen as a notch on an audiogram from 3000--6000 Hz, but most often at 4000 Hz . </P> <P> Noise has been associated with important cardiovascular health problems, particularly hypertension . Noise levels of 50 dB (A) at night may also increase the risk of myocardial infarction by chronically elevating cortisol production . </P> <P> Roadway noise levels are sufficient to constrict arterial blood flow and lead to elevated blood pressure . Vasoconstriction can result from elevated adrenaline levels or through medical stress reactions . </P>

Effects of noise pollution on humans and animals