What is noise nuisance?

The level of noise nuisance can be indicated with a decibel system. But sound is experienced in a more subjective way as well, where sounds are considered a nuisance, or as pleasant or safe. Psychological factors and cultural differences play a role too: noise to one is a pleasant sound to another, perhaps due to having grown up somewhere with a lot of street noise. Tjeerd Andringa feels that this second way of assessing noise nuisance should receive more attention.

The weekly online video magazine Unifocus highlights topics related to the University of Groningen in the fields of research and society, student life, teaching, policy and internationalization.