Noise is a prominent feature of the environment including noise from transport, industry and neighbours. Exposure to noise disturbs sleep in the laboratory, but not generally in field studies where adaptation occurs. Noise interferes in complex task performance, modifies social behaviour and causes annoyance. Noise exposure causes a number of predictable short-term physiological responses mediated through the autonomic nervous system. The strongest evidence for the effect of noise on the cardiovascular system comes from studies of blood pressure in occupational settings. \r\nMethods: The study was conducted by measuring the noise levels in all of the 29 outpatient clinics providing a service at the Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, between December 2012 and February 2013. The measurements at the outpatient clinics were taken from 08:00 to 16:00 during the week days (Monday-Friday), which are the working hours during which patients are actively provided a service. All the measurements were taken every 10 seconds (total 2880 measurements for every day), 150 cm high above the ground and the observed values were recorded.Within the framework of the legislation in Turkey, the maximum level of noise in an internal area in Health Facilities, which are defined as health care facilities and institutions with beds, dispensaries, outpatient clinics, nursing and old people�s homes and similar areas, is 35 dB(A). While EPA argues that sound levels within hospitals should not exceed 45 dB(A), WHO states that they should not exceed 30 dB (A) and that peaks need to be under 40 dB(A).

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