The sound of pain: Exploring health impacts of noise exposure

Noise exposure has emerged as a significant environmental and public health challenge, influencing health far beyond auditory impacts. This research review explores relationships between noise and pain perception, including physiological, neurological, and psychological mechanisms. Chronic noise exposure elevates pro-inflammatory markers including IL-6 and TNF-alpha, driving neuropathic pain and systemic sensitization. Through disruption of restorative sleep, noise impairs emotion regulation, elevates inflammatory markers, and amplifies pain sensitivity, contributing to chronic pain syndromes. Interdisciplinary strategies, including public health campaigns and legislation aimed at integrating noise control and prevention into clinical, housing and work environments, offer opportunities for protecting health and well-being. This research review offers actionable insights to motivate leaders in acoustics, pain medicine, sleep health, and occupational and environmental medicine to address this growing challenge of noise-related health impacts.