Traffic noise, noise annoyance and psychotropic medication use

This article examines how exposure to road-traffic noise and the subjective experience of noise annoyance relate to mental health, showing how everyday sound environments can act as sources of chronic stress. Using a large population survey in Helsinki, it finds that people who feel more bothered by noise are more likely to use anxiety medication. It also shows that higher levels of traffic noise are linked to increased use of anxiety and antidepressant medications. By considering both measured noise levels and individual perception, the study highlights how objective noise exposure and subjective experience together shape emotional well-being.