%0 Journal Article %T Annoyance, Sleep and Concentration Problems due to Combined Traffic Noise and the Benefit of Quiet Side %A Theo Bodin %A Jonas Bjrk %A Jonas Ard %A Maria Albin %J International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health %P 1612-1628 %D 2015 %I MDPI AG %R 10.3390/ijerph120201612 %X Background: Access to a quiet side in one¡¯s dwelling is thought to compensate for higher noise levels at the most exposed fa£¿ade. It has also been indicated that noise from combined traffic sources causes more noise annoyance than equal average levels from either road traffic or railway noise separately. Methods: 2612 persons in Malm£¿, Sweden, answered to a residential environment survey including questions on outdoor environment, noise sensitivity, noise annoyance, sleep quality and concentration problems. Road traffic and railway noise was modeled using Geographic Information System. Results: Access to a quiet side, i.e., at least one window facing yard, water or green space, was associated with reduced risk of annoyance OR (95%CI) 0.47 (0.38¨C0.59), and concentration problems 0.76 (0.61¨C0.95). Bedroom window facing the same environment was associated to reduced risk of reporting of poor sleep quality 0.78 (0.64¨C1.00). Railway noise was associated with reduced risk of annoyance below 55 dB(A) but not at higher levels of exposure. Conclusions: Having a window facing a yard, water or green space was associated to a substantially reduced risk of noise annoyance and concentration problems. If this window was the bedroom window, sleeping problems were less likely. %K noise %K road traffic %K railway %K annoyance %K sleep %K cognition %K quiet side %U http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/2/1612