[Noise--a stress factor in occupational and other environments].

The effects of noise on health can be divided into aural effects and extraaural effects. The following review describes - after some historical remarks - first the physical and technical basis of noise analysis. The definition of "equivalent continuous sound level" (Lm) and "rating sound level" (Lr) is given. Extraaural noise effects mainly come from the environment (traffic noise, construction noise on building sites). One must distinguish physical and vegetative reactions. An important extraaural effect is the disturbance of sleep. The objectivation and quantification of extraaural effects of noise on health is very difficult because there exist a lot of disturbing factors. The most important aural effect of noise on health is the occupational hearing loss. To assess these effects, information about physiology, pathophysiology and clinical indications of noise induced labyrinthine deafness is necessary. As examples results of investigations into the effect of noise on arc welders, professional musicians and building workers are presented. Generation of noise should be minimised by technical methods, exposure to noise by personal protection. The methods for occupational medical check-up of the employment accident insurance fund are specially mentioned. The results of these preventive procedures can be seen in the decreasing numbers of occupational hearing loss.