Noise impacts on health in a variety of ways. It is well known that very loud noise can damage the hearing organs. This damage is sometimes temporary, but on occasions permanent hearing loss can arise. Recently studies have found that levels of noise that do not damage hearing can effect health in measurable ways by:
The Environmental Health Committee (enHealth) has published a summary of the evidence regarding The Health Effects of Environmental Noise - Other Than Hearing Loss .
In NSW, the Environment Protection Authority shares responsibility for enforcing noise control regulations with local government, NSW Police and Transport for NSW.