Environmental noise annoyance trends In selected locations In Bratislava

The rapid development in traffic density and the economic transformation since 1989 has brought new problems concerning road traffic noise in Slovakia. The aim is to follow the time trends of noise annoyance in monitored localities in Bratislava at time intervals of 10, 20, and 30 years. We used the validated methodology for subjective assessment of noise annoyance in young and healthy individuals, as well as a method of objectification by direct measurement of sound levels. Respondents (n=3,465) were university students, living in the exposed and control dormitories representing a homogenous sample. The sharp increase in traffic noise burden in the exposed area was found at the first 10-year interval (LAeq=67.5 dB). A slight decrease occurred after 2014, and in 2019 up to LAeq=63.9 dB. A sharp increase in road traffic noise annoyance was observed in the first 10-year interval (ORMH=2.56 (95 % CI=1.93-3.42) vs 6.01 (95% CI=4.97-7.95) with a slightly decreasing trend in 2019. An increase in noise annoyance from entertainment facilities was observed as well. Despite a slightly declining trend, road traffic noise annoyance is still an important issue and there is a need for preventive measures to reduce such exposure in residential areas.