Dose–Response Relationship Between Aircraft Noise Exposure and Community Annoyance: A Case Study of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

Objective: With increasing air traffic, aircraft noise pollution near Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport has intensified, raising concerns about community annoyance. Compared with a 2012 study, community responses to aircraft noise may have evolved, necessitating an updated dose–response relationship. This study refines the dose–response relationship, investigates the influence of demographic factors (age and gender) on annoyance, and contextualizes findings within international comparisons. Methods: A face-to-face survey of 450 residents near Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport was conducted using the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise standard questionnaire to assess noise annoyance. Noise levels were measured with a multifunctional sound level meter, and statistical analyses, including quadratic polynomial regression, Kruskal–Wallis H tests, and Spearman rank correlation, were applied to investigate the relationship between noise exposure and annoyance. Results: The proportion of highly annoyed residents increased by seven percentage points at the same noise exposure levels ( L den 61–72 dB) compared with 2012, reflecting a steeper dose–response curve. Older residents exhibited higher annoyance levels than younger individuals (Kruskal–Wallis H test: H = 32.390, P < 0.001), whereas gender differences were not statistically significant (Mann–Whitney U test: Z = −0.877, P = 0.380). Compared with European studies, Chinese residents reported higher annoyance at the same noise levels, likely influenced by cultural contexts, policy transparency, and urban infrastructure differences. Conclusion: This study provides updated empirical evidence on annoyance responses to aircraft noise, offering refined dose–response data and demographic insights. The findings serve as a scientific basis for policymakers to improve residential noise insulation, enhance compensation transparency, and establish structured community engagement mechanisms, contributing to more effective noise management strategies.