The auditory system is continuously analysing acoustic information, which is filtered and interpreted by different cortical and sub-cortical brain structures. According to the general stress concept, repeated autonomic and endocrine responses can result in permanent functional and metabolic changes of the organism in chronically exposed subjects. Epidemiological studies suggest a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and myocardial infarction, in subjects chronically exposed to high levels of road or air traffic noise.