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Most current knowledge about community response to noise exposure is derived from studies of high‐level transportation sources. A nationwide urban noise survey was undertaken to study effects associated with more moderate but far more common sorts of noise exposure. Over 2000 respondents at 24 sites in seven cities of varying noise exposure and population density were interviewed by telephone and in person about their reactions to everyday noises. A brief but comprehensive structured questionnaire was based on direct questioning about annoyance and related effects. Among the major findings of the survey were widespread annoyance and speech interference from exposure to urban noise and strong relationships between the extent of annoyance and exposure level, speech interference, and population density.