About 92 per cent of people are annoyed by noise with the most bothering sounds being those of traffic, construction, amplified and loud voices, screaming and petards.

This was revealed in a study commissioned by the newly-launched Noise Abatement Society of Malta set up to raise awareness about the damaging effects of noise on people’s health.

The study showed that 95 per cent believed that not enough was being done to have a quieter Malta with the same amount of respondents believing that excessive noise damaged their hearing.

37 per cent of respondents were annoyed daily by some form of noise with 25 per cent experiencing the nuisance more than once a week.

Most people, 47 per cent, were annoyed during the day, 31 per cent both during the day and at night and 22 per cent at night.

Only 21 per cent formally complained about excessive noise. Most, 45 per cent, went to police, 35 per cent complained to the source and 20 per cent went to the local council.

Of the 79 per cent who never complained 31 per cent said they believed there was no effective enforcement.

The society may be contacted at nasomalta@gmail.com .