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1. Introduction
In 1988, Fidell et al. [1] drew a memorable picture when they said that noise-induced “annoyance is a chameleon-like concept that eludes succinct definition” (p. 13). Guski et al. [2] provide definitions of noise annoyance as used in different field and laboratory studies, and show a wide range of understanding regarding the concept of noise annoyance. This range includes noise annoyance defined as an emotion, an attitude, or knowledge, as well as a result of disturbance or rational decision. For example, Guski et al. [2] refer to Fidell [3], who describes annoyance as a rational decision in which respondents “balance one thing against another, they weigh different circumstances of their situation” [2] (p. 515). Further, Fidell et al. [1] (p. 13) specify that annoyance “is neither a sensation nor a physical quantity, but rather an attitude, a covert mental process with emotional and cognitive components. It is usually thought of as a generalized adverse attitude toward noise exposure […]”.
Some authors [4,5] found a significant correlation between the fear of aircraft accidents and noise annoyance, therefore allowing annoyance to be classified as an emotion. Leonard and Borsky [6] (p. 691) reported that “annoyance significantly increases or decreases with noise exposure only to the extent that fear [of aircraft operation] and health concern also increase or decrease”.
Additionally, in some studies and articles, the concept of noise annoyance is defined as a multidimensional construct. Consequently, Guski et al. [2] conclude that noise annoyance is a “psychological concept which describes a relation between an acoustic situation and a person who is forced by noise to do things he/she does not want to do, who cognitively and emotionally evaluates this situation and feels partly helpless” (p. 525), therefore defining noise annoyance as a “multifaceted concept”. In a recently published World Health Organisation (WHO) review on environmental noise annoyance by Guski et al. [7], it is defined as a “complex response” that consists of “an often repeated disturbance due to noise […] and is often combined with behavioural responses in order to minimise disturbances” (p. 1539). Also, noise annoyance is both an attitudinal and a cognitive response. In a slightly different approach, Kroesen and Schreckenberg [8] identified noise annoyance as one dimension of a general noise reaction....