The effect of dose uncertainty on community noise dose-response outcomes

Recent simulations have been performed to determine the effects of dose uncertainty (estimated participant sound levels) on community noise dose-response outcomes. This paper presents a number simulations that illustrate how dose estimation uncertainty, dose range and the frequency distribution of doses across that range combine to modify an underlying true dose-response relationship. It further shows how each combination creates a unique distortion to the underlying curve in the observed results. The complexity of compensating for these uncertainties is discussed, and the paper recommends the formation of standardized data collection practices to enable compensation for them in the analysis.