Military Aircraft and Community Noise Analysis

Abstract

Research has shown that there are a number of consequences due to noise exposure such as hearing loss, sleep disturbance, hypertension and ischemic heart disease as well as non- medical consequences such as increased stress levels (Passchier-Vermeer & Passchier, 2000). Furthermore, the World Health Organization has also determined environmental noise, in particular, negatively impacts the previously mentioned aspects of life as well as spoken communication, mental health, and cognitive tasks (Goines & Hagler, 2007). In addition, there has been an increase of environmental noise sources, which can impact multiple aspects of people’s lives thereby making environmental noise exposure a greater public health concern (Goines & Hagler, 2007). As a result, people exposed to noise are at risk for negative consequences to their general health as well as experiencing a reduced quality of life due to increased levels of annoyance and stress. The World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (WHO-ICF) encourages medical professionals to think beyond the medical concern. In terms of assessing noise exposure, it is necessary to consider the non-auditory effects of noise (Gagné, Jennings, & Southall, 2014). One environmental noise source is military aircraft. This analysis will emphasize military aircraft exposure with the intent to explore the impact of aircraft noise on communities that are within the flight path of the Davis Monthan Air Force Base by comparing the aircraft noise exposure and general mental health effects in communities within the flight path and those that are not.