Impact of uncertainties related to noise indicator determination on observed exposure–effect relationship

Context: Noise indicators are the basis to describe noise exposure–effect relationships. The assessment of these noise indicators in field studies includes various uncertainties, so that the true values differ from the determined values used for establishing curve fits. If the relationship between a noise indicator and its effect is nonlinear, uncertainties of the noise indicator modify the observed exposure–effect relationships. Materials and Methods: The determination of an exposure-relationship curve fit within a field study was simulated based on the assumption of a given true exposure-relationship without uncertainties and normal distributed uncertainties for the observed noise indicator used for the statistics. Results: In case of an upward curvature of the exposure–effect relationship, the uncertainty for the noise indicator value leads to an asymmetric effect for the curve fit. Uncertainties of the same amount of over- or underestimation will not result in an identical over- or underestimation of the observed effect. A simulation of this effect shows an increased curvature of the observed curve fit, with overestimated exposure–effect relationships. Conclusion: Although linear exposure–effect curves are not observed with a systematic shift, quadratic, cubic, and exponential curve forms include a systematic uncertainty in the presented exposure–response curve. If such curves are used to define threshold levels to limit harmful effects of noise, no further uncertainty margins are needed for those situations where the calculated noise indicator uncertainties are equal or lower than those present in the underlying field study.