[Dependence of noise-induced individual and group reactions on stimulus variables and moderators in the reference laboratory for community noise production of former East Germany].

The Reference Laboratory for Local Noise Protection in the former German Democratic Republic selected a random sample of 1000 citizens in the City of Erfurt, who were written to and personally interviewed, also having their exposure to noise emissions measured. This enabled a quantitative estimate to be made of the level of noise pollution to which the population was subjected, while simultaneously contributing towards determining an annovance threshold and demonstrating the important role played by subject-specific factors in any one person's perception of the annoyance caused by noise. However, it proved impossible to develop any universal, objective procedure which at the same time would be practicable and would correctly assess all types of noise in terms of the effects they generate.